Question

Seismic waves are created from vibrations occurring when potential energy is released as rocks-

A. slide past each other and pressure is released, causing an earthquake.
B. are melted from heat and pressure, creating magma that flows rapidly.
C. are pulled by gravity, increasing heat and pressure, and causing rock layers to change.
D. become more dense and are pushed into the mantle, creating a volcano.

Answer 1

Seismic waves are created when rocks slide past each other, causing an earthquake. These waves have both longitudinal and transverse components known as P-waves and S-waves respectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

Seismic waves are created from vibrations occurring when potential energy is released as rocks slide past each other and pressure is released, causing an earthquake. Earthquakes generate several types of wave disturbances, including surface earthquake waves and pressure disturbances under the surface.

The waves under Earth's surface have both longitudinal and transverse components. The longitudinal waves in an earthquake are called pressure waves (P-waves) and the transverse waves are called shear waves (S-waves).