161k views
2 votes
The fastest seismic waves are A) shear waves. B) secondary waves. C) compressional waves. D) Love waves. E) Rayleigh waves.

User Dnim
by
8.5k points

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

The fastest seismic waves are compressional waves, also known as P waves. They can move through any type of medium (solids, liquids, or gases) and cause the medium to compress and expand.

Step-by-step explanation:

The fastest seismic waves are C) compressional waves, also known as P waves (primary waves). These waves can move through all types of mediums - solids, liquids, and gases. They cause particles in the medium to move in a direction parallel to the wave direction, hence compressing and expanding the medium. The speed of P waves varies depending on the medium but they are always the first waves to be detected by a seismograph due to their high velocities.

Learn more about Seismic Waves

User Viktor Nordling
by
8.1k points