ASBOG Practice Exam 2026 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Ace Your Geology Licensure!

The primary difference between body waves and surface waves in earthquakes lies in their propagation paths. Body waves travel through the Earth's interior, allowing them to move through both solid and liquid layers of the Earth. They consist of two types: primary waves (P-waves), which are compressional and can travel through both solids and liquids, and secondary waves (S-waves), which are shear and can only move through solids.

On the other hand, surface waves travel along the Earth's surface. These waves usually arrive after body waves during an earthquake and are typically responsible for most of the damage due to their larger amplitudes and longer duration. The distinction in their pathways—interior versus surface—significantly affects their speed and the types of materials they can traverse.

Thus, body waves serving as the carriers of seismic energy through the Earth's depths while surface waves propagate along the exterior helps to understand their different impacts and behaviors during seismic events.