Science glossary film: P-wave

A fast-moving seismic wave produced by an earthquake. A p-wave is a compression wave, as is a sound wave in air; unlike the s-waves in which ground vibrates perpendicular to the direction of the wave. The 'p' in p-wave stands for primary, as p-waves travel faster than s-waves, and will be recorded by a seismometer before the slower s-waves.

A p-wave is a compression wave, as is a sound wave in air; unlike the s-waves in which ground vibrates perpendicular to the direction of the wave. The 'p' in p-wave stands for primary, as p-waves travel faster than s-waves, and will be recorded by a seismometer before the slower s-waves.