Question

Seismic waves generated by earthquakes travel faster through the mantle than the crust. What information does that provide scientists?

Responses

The mantle is less dense than the crust.


The mantle is more dense than the crust.



The mantle is thinner than the crust.


The mantle is thicker than the crust.

Answer 1

The seismic waves generated by earthquakes travel faster through the mantle than the crust, providing scientists with information about the differences in composition and density between the two layers of the Earth. The mantle is less dense than the crust, and thus it is able to transmit seismic waves more quickly than the thicker and denser crust.