Among the different types of seismic waves, surface waves are responsible for causing the most damage during an earthquake. There are primarily two types of seismic waves: body waves (which include primary waves, P-waves, and secondary waves, S-waves) and surface waves.
Surface waves travel along the Earth’s surface and tend to have larger amplitudes and longer durations compared to body waves. This means that as surface waves propagate, they can cause significant shaking and disruption to structures, leading to severe damage or even collapse of buildings and infrastructure.
Within surface waves, there are two main types: Love waves and Rayleigh waves. Love waves move side to side, causing horizontal shaking, while Rayleigh waves produce an up-and-down motion similar to ocean waves. Both types can exert substantial forces on buildings and other structures, making them particularly destructive during an earthquake.
In summary, while all seismic waves contribute to the overall seismic activity, it is the surface waves that pose the greatest threat when it comes to causing damage during an earthquake.