What happens inside a rock as a wave front from an S wave passes through?
A) The volume of the rock stays fixed, but it shears back and forth, distorting the rocks internal shape as the wave passes through.
B) The rock moves toward and away from the earthquake as the volume of the material alternately expands and contracts, changing the rock's density while the compression- rarefaction wave passes through.
C) The little parcel of rock shimmies from side to side as the wave passes, with the greatest motion at the Earth's surface, dying out with depth.
D) The little parcel of rock rotates about its own location in an ellipse until the wave passes.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

S waves, or secondary waves, are a type of seismic wave that move through the body of the Earth. They cause particles in the materials they pass through to move perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation, resulting in a shearing motion. This shearing motion distorts the internal shape of the rock without changing its volume, which is characteristic of S waves.

What Happens Inside a Rock as a Wave Front from an S