Seismic Waves


Seismic waves are waves of energy that travel through the Earth's layers and are caused by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other seismic sources. These waves can be classified into two main types: body waves and surface waves. Body waves travel through the Earth's interior and are further divided into two types: P-waves and S-waves. P-waves are compressional waves that travel faster than S-waves and can travel through solids, liquids, and gases. S-waves are transverse waves that can only travel through solids. Surface waves, on the other hand, travel along the Earth's surface and are responsible for the majority of the damage caused by earthquakes. Seismic waves are important in space and astronautical engineering as they can be used to study the interior of planets and moons, and to detect underground structures on Earth. They are also used to test the structural integrity of spacecraft and launch vehicles during the design and testing phases.


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