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Surface waves travel more slowly than body waves but are mor distructive. Most of the damage during an earthquake comes from surface waves which can literally shake the ground out from under a building.

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11y ago
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3mo ago

Surface waves are the most destructive waves because they travel along the ocean's surface, making direct contact with Coastlines, causing erosion, flooding, and structural damage. They also have a longer wavelength and higher energy compared to other types of waves, allowing them to carry more momentum as they approach land, resulting in greater impact.

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Q: Why are surface waves the most destructive waves?
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Which earthquake waves are most destructive to buildings?

Surface waves, including Rayleigh waves and Love waves, are the most destructive earthquake waves for buildings. They travel along the Earth's surface and cause the most shaking and damage to structures.


Which seismic waves are the most destructive overall?

Surface waves, specifically Love and Rayleigh waves, are the most destructive seismic waves during an earthquake. These waves can cause the most significant ground shaking and damage to structures due to their complex motion that affects the surface of the Earth.


Why are surface waves more destructive to buildings than p waves are so s waves are?

Surface waves are more destructive to buildings because they have a larger amplitude and longer duration compared to P-waves and S-waves. This causes them to produce stronger shaking and ground movement, which can lead to structural damage. Additionally, surface waves are the last seismic waves to arrive at a location, which means that any prior damage caused by P-waves or S-waves can be further exacerbated by the arrival of surface waves.


Do P waves do the most destruction during and earthquake?

No, P waves are not usually responsible for the most destruction during an earthquake. P waves are fast-moving seismic waves that usually cause less damage compared to the slower and more destructive S waves and surface waves. The shaking and ground displacement caused by these other waves typically result in the most destruction during an earthquake.


Compared to P waves and S waves do surface waves move slower or faster?

Surface waves move slower than P waves and S waves. They travel along the surface of the Earth and are primarily responsible for the damage caused by earthquakes, as they have a larger amplitude and longer period.

Related questions

Which earthquake waves are most destructive to buildings?

Surface waves, including Rayleigh waves and Love waves, are the most destructive earthquake waves for buildings. They travel along the Earth's surface and cause the most shaking and damage to structures.


Which are more destructive body waves or surface waves?

Surface waves are more destructive than body waves as they move along the Earth's surface and cause the most shaking and damage during an earthquake. Body waves, on the other hand, travel through the Earth's interior and are usually less damaging to structures on the surface.


Which seismic waves are the most destructive overall?

Surface waves, specifically Love and Rayleigh waves, are the most destructive seismic waves during an earthquake. These waves can cause the most significant ground shaking and damage to structures due to their complex motion that affects the surface of the Earth.


The most destructive seismic wave are .?

The Surface waves (of which there are two - the Love and Rayleigh waves) are the most destructive seismic waves as they have the largest amplitude.Surface waves cause the most damage as they have the largest amplitude of all the seismic waves.S Wave.yhuk


Why are surface waves more destructive to building than p waves or s waves?

they are more destructive because they are on the suface and because they are slower


Why are surface waves more destructive to building s than P waves or S waves are?

they are more destructive because they are on the suface and because they are slower


Which type of earthquakes waves move the slowest?

The surface waves (composed in turn of the Rayleigh and Love waves) are the slowest seismic waves.


Why are surface waves more destructive to buildings than p waves are so s waves are?

Surface waves are more destructive to buildings because they have a larger amplitude and longer duration compared to P-waves and S-waves. This causes them to produce stronger shaking and ground movement, which can lead to structural damage. Additionally, surface waves are the last seismic waves to arrive at a location, which means that any prior damage caused by P-waves or S-waves can be further exacerbated by the arrival of surface waves.


Do P waves do the most destruction during and earthquake?

No, P waves are not usually responsible for the most destruction during an earthquake. P waves are fast-moving seismic waves that usually cause less damage compared to the slower and more destructive S waves and surface waves. The shaking and ground displacement caused by these other waves typically result in the most destruction during an earthquake.


Compared to P waves and S waves do surface waves move slower or faster?

Surface waves move slower than P waves and S waves. They travel along the surface of the Earth and are primarily responsible for the damage caused by earthquakes, as they have a larger amplitude and longer period.


Why are surface waves more destructive to building p waves or s waves?

Because surface waves have a larger amplitude and thus more energy and so can cause more damage than P and S waves. they are more destructive because they are on the suface and because they are slowerRate This Answer


What causes a surface wave?

Surface waves are caused by the interaction between seismic waves and the Earth's surface. These waves travel along the Earth's crust and can cause the ground to shake horizontally and vertically. Surface waves are typically the most destructive type of seismic waves during an earthquake.