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Letter SGeology glossary

Seismic Wave

Seismic waves are waves of energy that travel through the Earth, typically generated by earthquakes, volcanic activity, or artificial explosions. They are important in geophysics for understanding the Earth’s internal structure, locating earthquakes, and exploring for natural resources.

Diagram showing P and S wave shadow zones (seismic wave)
Fig. 1 Diagram showing P and S wave shadow zones (seismic wave)

Source Lay, T., & Wallace, T. C. (1995). “Modern Global Seismology.” Academic Press.

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