Earth's Interior through Seismic Waves: Part 1
Internal Structure of Earth
based on Seismic Evidence
Part 1
Seismic Waves and Interior of the
Earth
The behaviour of seismic waves in the different layers of
the earth provides the most authentic evidence about
the composition and structure of the earth. The different
types of waves, generated during the occurrence of an
earthquake, are generally divided into three broad
categories:
Primary Waves
Secondary Waves, and
Surface Waves
Seismic waves – both P-waves and S-waves travel faster through
rigid material than through soft or plastic material. The velocities of
these waves travelling through a specific part of earth thus give an
indication of the type of rock there. Abrupt changes in the seismic
wave velocities indicate significant changes in earth’s interior.
Primary Waves – These are also called as longitudinal or
compressional waves. These are high frequency, short wavelength,
longitudinal waves. These waves travel not only through the solid
part of the earth but also through the liquid part of the core. A
primary wave travels with fastest speed through solid materials, and
under certain circumstances, it can change into secondary wave
on refraction or vice versa. In the liquid materials, their speed is
slowed down. These waves are analogous to sound waves wherein
particles move both to and fro in the line of propagation of the ray.
Much of our knowledge of the internal structure of the earth has
been gained from the study of primary and secondary waves.
Secondary Waves
These are also called as transverse or distortional waves. Secondary
waves are analogous to water ripples or light waves, wherein the
particles move at right angles to the rays. A secondary wave
cannot pass through liquid materials. These are the high frequency,
short wave-length waves which are propagated in all directions
from the focus and travel at varying velocities (proportional density)
through the solid part of the earth’s crust, mantle and core.
Surface Waves
Surface waves are called a long-period waves. These waves
generally affect the surface of the earth only and die out at smaller
depth.
The surface waves are characterised with low frequency, long
wavelength, and transverse vibrations which develop in the
immediate neighbourhood of the epicentre. The surface waves are
responsible for most of the destructive force of earthquake. They are
confined to the outer skin of the crust. They cover the longest
distance of all the seismic waves.
When an earthquake occurs, the seismic waves are recorded at the
epicentre with the help of seismograph. In the beginning a few small
and weak swings are recorded. Such tremors are called as ‘the first
preliminary tremors’. After a brief interval ‘the second preliminary
tremors’ are recorded and finally ‘the main tremors’ of strong waves
are recorded.
Seismic waves provide crucial evidence about Earth's composition and structure. By analyzing the behavior of primary, secondary, and surface waves, scientists can determine the different layers and materials within the Earth. Primary waves travel through both solid and liquid parts, while secondary waves are transverse waves and cannot pass through liquids. Surface waves, with long wavelengths, affect the Earth's surface and are responsible for the destructive force of earthquakes.
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Presentation Transcript
Internal Structure of Earth based on Seismic Evidence Part 1
Seismic Waves and Interior of the Earth The behaviour of seismic waves in the different layers of the earth provides the most authentic evidence about the composition and structure of the earth. The different types of waves, generated during the occurrence of an earthquake, are generally divided into three broad categories: Primary Waves Secondary Waves, and Surface Waves
Seismic waves both P-waves and S-waves travel faster through rigid material than through soft or plastic material. The velocities of these waves travelling through a specific part of earth thus give an indication of the type of rock there. Abrupt changes in the seismic wave velocities indicate significant changes in earth s interior.
Primary compressional waves. These are high frequency, short wavelength, longitudinal waves. These waves travel not only through the solid part of the earth but also through the liquid part of the core. A primary wave travels with fastest speed through solid materials, and under certain circumstances, it can change into secondary wave on refraction or vice versa. In the liquid materials, their speed is slowed down. These waves are analogous to sound waves wherein particles move both to and fro in the line of propagation of the ray. Much of our knowledge of the internal structure of the earth has been gained from the study of primary and secondary waves. Waves These are also called as longitudinal or
Secondary Waves These are also called as transverse or distortional waves. Secondary waves are analogous to water ripples or light waves, wherein the particles move at right angles to the rays. A secondary wave cannot pass through liquid materials. These are the high frequency, short wave-length waves which are propagated in all directions from the focus and travel at varying velocities (proportional density) through the solid part of the earth s crust, mantle and core.
Surface Waves Surface waves are called a long-period waves. These waves generally affect the surface of the earth only and die out at smaller depth. The surface waves are characterised with low frequency, long wavelength, and transverse vibrations which develop in the immediate neighbourhood of the epicentre. The surface waves are responsible for most of the destructive force of earthquake. They are confined to the outer skin of the crust. They cover the longest distance of all the seismic waves.
When an earthquake occurs, the seismic waves are recorded at the epicentre with the help of seismograph. In the beginning a few small and weak swings are recorded. Such tremors are called as the first preliminary tremors . After a brief interval the second preliminary tremors are recorded and finally the main tremors of strong waves are recorded.
