S-waves

S-waves, or secondary waves, are a type of seismic wave generated by earthquakes. They move through the Earth, following primary waves (P-waves) but are slower and arrive after them. S-waves only travel through solid materials, which means they cannot pass through liquids like magma or the Earth's outer core. They create shaking perpendicular to their direction of movement, which can cause significant damage during an earthquake. Understanding S-waves helps scientists learn about Earth's internal structure and improve safety measures in earthquake-prone areas.