Question

Which earthquake wave travels the fastest and arrives first?

a) S-wave
b) tension wave
c) P-wave
d) shear wave

Answer 1

C) P-wave

Step-by-step explanation:

P waves travel the fastest and are the first to arrive from the earthquake. In S or shear waves, rock oscillates perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. In rock, S waves generally travel about 60% the speed of P waves, and the S wave always arrives after the P wave.