Multiple choice general knowledge

Which type of seismic wave does not propagate through fluids?

  1. P waves

  2. S waves

  3. Surface waves

  4. All seismic waves travel through fluids

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

S-waves (shear waves) cannot propagate through fluids because fluids cannot sustain the shearing motion that S-waves require - they have no shear strength. P-waves can travel through all materials, including fluids. This property of S-waves helped scientists discover that Earth's outer core is liquid.