For instance, seismic waves carry energy from the source of the shaking outward in all directions (not in one direction only as the setup shows). ... (Optional) Both primary and secondary waves are body waves (pass through the interior of the Earth). Surface waves travel along the Earth's surface.

How do seismic waves move?

There are several different kinds of seismic waves, and they all move in different ways. The two main types of waves are body waves and surface waves. Body waves can travel through the Earth's inner layers, but surface waves can only move along the surface of the planet like ripples on water.

What direction do seismic waves travel?

Seismic waves move outward in all directions away from their source. Each type of seismic wave travels at different speeds in different materials. All seismic waves travel through rock, but not all travel through liquid or gas.