Consider the following types of seismic waves generated during an earthquake: 1. Primary waves are longitudinal body waves that compress and dilate the rock in the direction of travel. 2. Secondary waves are transverse body waves that displace ground particles perpendicular to the propagation path and pass through fluids. 3. Rayleigh waves are surface waves that roll along the ground like ocean waves with an elliptical motion. Which of the statements given above are correct?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Statement 1 is correct because primary waves are compressional body waves traveling fastest through all media. Statement 2 is incorrect because secondary waves cannot travel through liquids or gases, being arrested by fluid outer core layers. Statement 3 is correct as Rayleigh waves produce a rolling retrograde elliptical motion across the Earth's surface, causing major structural damage during shallow earthquakes. Love waves are another surface wave type producing purely horizontal transverse motion.