Final answer:
Earthquakes can interact differently depending on the distance from the epicenter. Areas closer to the epicenter experience destructive interference, while areas farther away experience constructive interference, resulting in different levels of damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
Earthquakes involve different types of wave disturbances, including surface earthquake waves such as pressure waves (P-waves) and shear waves (S-waves).
P-waves travel faster than S-waves and have higher speeds in more rigid materials.
When an earthquake occurs, the P-waves reach certain areas closer to the epicenter faster than the S-waves, resulting in destructive interference and less damage.
On the other hand, areas farther away from the epicenter experience constructive interference of the waves, leading to greater amplitudes and more damage.