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Seismic Waves - S Waves

S Waves are a type of seismic wave called a body wave - they are called this because they travel through the body of the Earth. See surface waves.

S-Waves are Secondary or Shear waves.

They travel Slower than P-waves. As an S wave is slower than a p-wave it therefore arrives at the detector in second place. For this reason, S waves are called secondary waves ('cos they arrive second!).

They travel to right angles to the vibration of the particles - they are tranSverse waves. In transverse waves, the medium vibrates perpendicularly to the direction of energy travel. .

S-waves cannot pass through liquids or gases - only travel through solids - Solely Solids.