What are surface waves and how do they cause damage during earthquakes?

What are surface waves and how do they cause damage during earthquakes?

Surface waves are seismic waves that travel along the Earth's surface. They are slower than body waves and cause the most damage during earthquakes. There are two types of surface waves: Love waves and Rayleigh waves.

Love waves move in a side-to-side motion, similar to the motion of a snake slithering on the ground. These waves cause the ground to shake horizontally, which can lead to the collapse of buildings and infrastructure.

Rayleigh waves, on the other hand, move in an elliptical motion, similar to ocean waves. They cause the ground to move both vertically and horizontally, resulting in a rolling motion. This rolling motion can cause the ground to crack, leading to landslides and other forms of damage.

Overall, surface waves cause damage during earthquakes by shaking the ground vigorously, which can result in the collapse of structures, landslides, and other forms of destruction.