Q. Consider the following statements regarding Earthquake Waves:
1. The velocity of earthquake waves is higher in low density materials.
2. The direction of waves also changes when they come across materials with different densities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: B
Notes:
Explanation: Earthquake waves are basically of two types — body waves and surface waves.
- Body waves are generated due to the release of energy at the focus and move in all directions travelling through the body of the earth. Hence, the name body waves.
- The body waves interact with the surface rocks and generate a new set of waves called surface waves. These waves move along the surface.
- The velocity of waves changes as they travel through materials with different densities. The denser the material, the higher the velocity.
- Their direction also changes as they reflect or refract when coming across materials with different densities.
Source: NCERT – Fundamental of Physical Geography
