seismic

• What do large-scale events like volcanoes and earthquakes produce?

  Seismic waves
• What are the two types of seismic waves discussed?

  P waves and S waves
• What type of wave are P waves?

  Longitudinal
• What can P waves travel through?

  Both solids and liquids
• What type of wave are S waves?

  Transverse
• What can S waves travel through?

  Only solids
• How do P waves and S waves differ in speed?

  P waves are much faster than S waves
• How do scientists study the internal structure of the Earth?

  By studying how seismic waves travel
• What devices do seismologists use to detect seismic waves?

  Seismometers
• What do seismologists compare to understand wave travel times?

  Their results with other seismologists' results
• What happens to seismic waves at boundaries between different mediums?

  They can be reflected, absorbed, or transmitted
• What does refraction of waves mean?

  Waves change direction due to speed change
• Why do waves refract at the boundary between the mantle and the liquid outer core?

  There is a sudden change in density
• How do waves behave as they pass through the liquid outer core?

  They are constantly refracted slightly
• What happens to seismic waves in the mantle?

  They are generally refracted and seem to curve
• How do P waves and S waves differ in their ability to travel through the Earth's layers?

  P waves can travel through both, S waves cannot
• What was one of the main clues for scientists discovering the liquid outer core?

  S waves could not pass through it
• Where could S waves not be detected during an earthquake?

  In the liquid outer core region
• Why can't S waves reach the solid inner core?

  It is surrounded by the liquid outer core
• Why are P waves detected almost everywhere during an earthquake?

  They can travel through solids and liquids
• What happens to waves that pass through the outer core?

  They are refracted downwards
• What happens to waves that do not pass through the outer core?

  They are refracted upwards
• What is the main takeaway from the study of seismic waves?

  They help discover Earth's internal structure
• What is the main difference between P waves and S waves?

  P waves travel through solids and liquids
• What are the characteristics of P waves and S waves?

  • P waves:
  • Longitudinal
  • Travel through solids and liquids
  • Faster than S waves
  • S waves:
  • Transverse
  • Travel only through solids
• How do seismic waves help scientists understand the Earth's structure?

  • By studying wave travel times
  • Comparing results globally
  • Identifying wave behavior at boundaries
  • Discovering liquid outer core through S wave absence