________ have the highest velocities.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Primary waves (P-waves) are faster seismic waves that travel through solids, liquids, and gases. They have the highest velocities among seismic waves because they are longitudinal waves that compress and expand the material they pass through. In contrast, secondary waves (S-waves) and surface waves are transverse waves that move material perpendicular to the direction of travel, which limits their velocity. Refracted S-waves refer to S-waves that have changed direction due to encountering a boundary in the Earth's layers and therefore do not have as high of a velocity as P-waves.

________ Have the Highest Velocities