S-waves


S-waves, also known as secondary waves or shear waves, are a type of seismic wave that travels through the Earth's interior. They are slower than P-waves and can only travel through solid materials, making them useful for studying the Earth's crust and mantle. S-waves move particles perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation, causing rocks to shear and deform. They are particularly useful for determining the composition and density of the Earth's interior, as well as for detecting the presence of faults and other geological structures. However, S-waves are not able to travel through the Earth's liquid outer core, which is why they are not detected on the opposite side of the Earth from an earthquake.


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