From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cross section of the whole Earth, showing the complexity of paths of earthquake waves. The paths curve because the different rock types found at different depths change the speed at which the waves travel. Solid lines marked P are compressional waves; dashed lines marked S are shear waves. S waves do not travel through the core but may be converted to compressional waves (marked K) on entering the core (PKP, SKS). Waves may be reflected at the surface (PP, PPP, SS).
Seismographs detect the various types of waves. Analysis of such records reveals structures within the Earth.
Source: http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/interior/fig2.gif ; original upload in english wikipedia, 15 April 2005 by SEWilco
File links
The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed):