Question

which of the following is true regarding the speed of earthquake waves?
a. s waves travel faster than p waves and surface waves.
b. p waves, s waves, and surface waves all have the same speed.
c. p waves travel faster than s waves and surface waves.
d. surface waves travel faster than p waves and s waves.
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Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we recall the properties of earthquake waves: P - waves (primary waves) are the fastest seismic waves, followed by S - waves (secondary waves), and surface waves are the slowest.

• Option A is incorrect because S waves and surface waves are slower than P waves.
• Option B is incorrect as the three types of waves (P, S, surface) have different speeds.
• Option C is correct because P waves travel faster than both S waves and surface waves.
• Option D is incorrect because surface waves are slower than both P and S waves.

Answer:

C. P waves travel faster than S waves and surface waves.