Updated By: LatestGKGS Desk
Earthquake: Love Waves vs Rayleigh Waves comparison
Surface waves - Love Waves vs Rayleigh Waves comparison
As Body waves (p waves or s waves) interact with the surface solid material like rocks, a different set of waves (Surface waves) gets generated. Surface waves are also transverse in nature in which particle movement falls perpendicular to its motion. This makes surface waves the most dangerous and destructive in nature.
Surface waves are of Two types 1. Love Waves, and 2. Rayleigh Waves. Below are the difference given between Love Waves and Rayleigh Waves:-
| Sr. No. | Love Waves | Rayleigh Waves |
| 1. | Love Waves are known for bringing surface shifting on the surface of the earth's crust. | Rayleigh waves follow the elliptical motion. |
| 2. | Love waves are faster than Rayleigh waves but slower than Body Waves. | Rayleigh waves roll around the ground bringing up and down + forward and backward motion. |
| 3. | Love waves are rare and exist in a semi-infinite medium like a sand dune. | Rayleigh waves are behind most of the time in the earthquake event feeling on the surface. |
| 4. | Love waves are purely horizontal in motion. | Rayleigh waves work in all possible directions on the surface. |
