Body Wave

Synonyms

Seismic waves

Definition

Seismic waves that travel through the entire earth.

Discussion

Body waves are defined as waves that travel through the body of a medium, as opposed to surface waves that travel near the surface of the medium. They follow ray paths bent by the varying density and modulus (stiffness) of the medium. The density and modulus, in turn, vary according to temperature, composition, and phase. This effect is similar to the refraction of light waves. Seismic waves are body waves, and they are the primary means of transferring information regarding the Earth’s interior. Main kinds of body waves are the P-wave and the S-wave.

The mediums of Earth’s interior are generally considered as isotropic or transversely isotropic. A transversely isotropic medium with a vertical axis of symmetry is called a VTI medium.

P-wave (primary wave) is a longitudinal or compressional wave. It can travel in both solids and fluids.

S-wave (secondary waves) is a transverse or shear...