What is a body wave?

Body waves are seismic waves that travel through the interior of the Earth from an earthquake source. There are two types of body waves: P waves (Primary waves) and S waves (Secondary waves).

• P waves are the fastest seismic waves and are the first waves to be recorded on a seismogram. They are able to travel through solid, liquid, and gaseous materials, making them the only type of seismic wave that can travel through the Earth's core.

• S waves are slower than P waves and can only travel through solid materials. They are also known as shear waves because they move in a back-and-forth motion perpendicular to the direction of wave travel.

Body waves play a crucial role in helping seismologists study the Earth's interior structure and composition. By analyzing the characteristics of body waves, scientists can gain insights into the properties of different layers within the Earth, such as the crust, mantle, and core.