Jordskjelvbølger

Jordskjelvbølger, also known as seismic waves, are vibrations that travel through the Earth as a result of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or artificial explosions. These waves are the primary means by which scientists study the Earth's interior.

There are two main types of seismic waves: body waves and surface waves. Body waves travel through the Earth's interior. The two types of body waves are P-waves (primary waves) and S-waves (secondary waves). P-waves are compressional waves, meaning they move in the same direction as the wave is traveling, causing particles to compress and expand. They are the fastest seismic waves and can travel through solids, liquids, and gases. S-waves are shear waves, meaning they move perpendicular to the direction of wave travel, causing particles to move up and down or side to side. S-waves are slower than P-waves and can only travel through solids.

Surface waves travel along the Earth's surface. The two main types of surface waves are Love waves and Rayleigh waves. Love waves are horizontally polarized shear waves that move from side to side. Rayleigh waves are retrograde elliptical waves that cause particles to move in an elliptical path in the vertical plane. Surface waves are generally slower than body waves but can cause more damage due to their larger amplitude.

By analyzing the arrival times and characteristics of different seismic waves recorded at seismograph stations around the world, seismologists can determine the location and magnitude of earthquakes, as well as infer the structure and composition of the Earth's interior. The study of jordskjelvbølger is a fundamental part of seismology.