Science glossary film: S-wave

One of two types of seismic wave produced in an earthquake. S-waves are a ripple-like, lateral movement of the ground relative to the direction of travel, as opposed to the longitudinal p-waves, which are more like sound waves in air. The s-waves arrive after the p-waves, which propagate through the ground much faster.

S-waves are a ripple-like, lateral movement of the ground relative to the direction of travel, as opposed to the longitudinal p-waves, which are more like sound waves in air. The s-waves arrive after the p-waves, which propagate through the ground much faster.