2024 · Q84
Which one of the one of the following statements regarding S-waves is not correct?
General KnowledgeGeography
- AS-waves are slower than P-waves.
- BDuring an earthquake S-waves are less destructive to structures like buildings and highway overpasses.
- CS-waves can travel only through solids and cannot travel through the Earth's outer core.
- DSeismologists have concluded that the Earth's outer core must be liquid or fluid.
Explanation
S-waves (secondary waves) are slower than P-waves, cannot travel through liquids so they are blocked by the Earth's liquid outer core — which is exactly how seismologists deduced the outer core is fluid. Because of their shearing motion, S-waves are more destructive to buildings and overpasses than P-waves. The claim that they are less destructive is therefore the incorrect statement. Hence option B is correct.