Seismic waves, which are generated by the sudden release of energy during an earthquake, can be classified into several types: Primary waves (P-waves), Secondary waves (S-waves), surface waves, and more. Among these, surface waves are generally considered to be the most destructive.
Surface waves travel along the Earth’s exterior and typically have larger amplitudes and longer durations compared to P-waves and S-waves. They cause the ground to shake significantly, resulting in more intense shaking felt at the surface. There are two primary types of surface waves: Love waves and Rayleigh waves. Love waves move the ground horizontally, which can lead to substantial damage to structures, while Rayleigh waves cause an up-and-down motion that can impact buildings and infrastructures severely.
While P-waves are the fastest and S-waves are more damaging than P-waves due to their shear motion, it is the surface waves that ultimately lead to the most destruction during an earthquake. They have a greater effect on buildings, bridges, and roads, leading to structural failures and, unfortunately, loss of life.