Which type of seismic waves travel along the Earth's surface?

Surface waves are seismic waves that travel along the Earth's surface. These waves are responsible for most of the damage during an earthquake due to their larger amplitude and longer duration compared to other types of seismic waves. Surface waves move in two ways: Love waves, which move the ground side to side, and Rayleigh waves, which roll along the ground like ocean waves.

In contrast, body waves, which include P waves and S waves, travel through the Earth's interior. P waves are compressional waves that can move through both solids and liquids, while S waves are shear waves that can only move through solids, not through liquid materials. Understanding the distinction between these types of seismic waves is crucial, as it directly relates to how energy from seismic events is transmitted and how they can be detected and measured using seismographs. The characteristics and behaviors of surface waves make them significant in assessing the impact of earthquakes on structures and the terrain.