| Caption: |
(a) A P wave is a compressional wave like a sound wave. In this example, the coil compresses to form wave A as it passes from left to right from time 1 at the top of the illustration to time 3 on the bottom. (b) An S wave is a shear wave in which atoms in the solid earth vibrate at right angles to the direction that the wave is moving. In this example, vibrations move the coil up and down as wave A moves from left to right from time 1 at the top of the illustration to time 3 on the bottom. |
