Multiple choice

With reference to earthquakes, which one of the following statements is not correct?

  1. S waves move objects at right angles to their direction of motion.

  2. S waves propagate through liquids.

  3. As the P waves propagate, they move material in a path parallel to the direction of movement.

  4. L waves travel along the surface of the earth's crust.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

S waves (shear waves) can only propagate through solids because they require the medium to resist shear stress. Liquids cannot support shear stress, so S waves cannot travel through them. This is why S waves cannot pass through Earth's liquid outer core. The statement 'S waves propagate through liquids' is incorrect, which is exactly what the question asks for (which statement is NOT correct).

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