Final answer:
The statement is true; surface waves do the most damage during an earthquake because they have larger amplitudes and longer durations, affecting the Earth's surface where structures are located. Constructive interference and resonance can further explain varying degrees of damage in different locations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'Because they are nearer to people and property, surface waves do more damage than body waves' is true. Surface waves are a type of seismic wave that travel along the Earth's surface. They are the last to be recorded by seismographs after P-waves and S-waves, but they tend to cause the most damage during an earthquake. This is because surface waves have larger amplitudes and longer durations, which can result in more significant shaking of the ground and structures.
When considering the damage caused to areas near the epicenter versus those farther away, the phenomena of constructive interference and resonance can explain why some regions experience more damage than others. Constructive interference can occur when the waves' peaks align, creating a larger amplitude, and thus, more potential for damage. Furthermore, if a building's natural frequency matches the frequency of the seismic waves, resonance can occur, leading to severe damage or collapse of that particular structure.