Final answer:
Option A.
The P-wave of the earthquake is a compressional wave that moves through the Earth by compression and expansion in the direction it travels. The S-wave is a shear wave that moves perpendicular to its direction of travel and arrives later than the P-wave. So the correct answer is A. P-wave is a compressional wave, S-wave is a shear wave.
Step-by-step explanation:
Within the context of an earthquake, such as the 9-km NNE of Quintana, Oklahoma earthquake, the P-wave and S-wave are two critical types of seismic waves. The P-wave, also known as the primary wave, is a type of compressional wave that moves through the Earth by alternately compressing and expanding the material in the same direction as the wave is moving.
On the other hand, the S-wave, or secondary wave, is a type of shear wave that moves at right angles to the direction of wave travel, causing more intense shaking due to its motion.
P-waves are faster and thus arrive at seismic stations first, followed by the slower S-waves. Due to their different properties, the difference in arrival times between P-waves and S-waves can be used to calculate the distance to the earthquake's epicenter.
Given the information provided and the key distinctions between P-waves and S-waves, the correct answer to the student's question is: A. P-wave is a compressional wave, S-wave is a shear wave.