Which waves are the last to reach the seismic station?

Prepare effectively for the Earth Science SOL test. Practice with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each explained with hints. Equip yourself with the knowledge to succeed and feel confident on test day!

Multiple Choice

Which waves are the last to reach the seismic station?

Explanation:
Waves that travel along the Earth’s surface move more slowly than those moving through the interior, so they arrive later at a seismic station. After the fast body waves (P waves) and the slower body waves (S waves), the energy that stays near the surface—Love waves, along with Rayleigh waves—propagates the slowest. Because of their lower speed and surface-path propagation, these surface waves arrive last. That’s why Love waves (L waves) are the correct choice for the last-to-arrive waves.

Waves that travel along the Earth’s surface move more slowly than those moving through the interior, so they arrive later at a seismic station. After the fast body waves (P waves) and the slower body waves (S waves), the energy that stays near the surface—Love waves, along with Rayleigh waves—propagates the slowest. Because of their lower speed and surface-path propagation, these surface waves arrive last. That’s why Love waves (L waves) are the correct choice for the last-to-arrive waves.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy