Surface waves

Surface waves are a type of seismic wave that travel along the Earth's surface during an earthquake. They move slowly compared to other seismic waves but can cause significant destruction because of their large, rolling motion. These waves decay with depth and affect the ground's surface and structures built on it, producing rolling or swaying movements. Surface waves include Love waves, which move side-to-side, and Rayleigh waves, which roll in an elliptical motion similar to ocean waves. They are responsible for much of the shaking felt during an earthquake and tend to cause the most damage locally.