Question

Which statement is true about seismic waves traveling into the earth?

A. P-waves are faster than S-waves
B. S-waves travel through liquid outer core
C. P-waves cause more ground shaking
D. S-waves are also known as compressional waves

Answer 1

The correct statement about seismic waves traveling into the earth is that P-waves are faster than S-waves. Hence the correct answer is option A

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement about seismic waves traveling into the earth is option A: P-waves are faster than S-waves.

Seismic waves include both pressure waves (P-waves) and shear waves (S-waves). P-waves travel faster through the Earth's crust compared to S-waves. P-waves are able to pass through liquids and solids, while S-waves cannot travel through the liquid outer core and they produce shadow regions.

For example, P-waves can travel at speeds of 4 to 7 km/s, whereas S-waves have speeds of 2 to 5 km/s. The time difference between the arrival of P-waves and S-waves is used to determine the distance to the epicenter of an earthquake.