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Earth Science And Geology Practice Exam

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Which seismic wave cannot travel through liquids?
Correct Answer:
S wave
Explanation:
S waves rely on shear motion, which requires a material that can resist shear stress. Liquids have virtually zero shear stiffness, so they cannot support transverse (shear) waves. P waves, by contrast, are compressional and move through any medium that can transmit pressure changes (solids, liquids, and gases). Surface waves also depend on solid boundaries and rigidity, but the fundamental reason this wave won’t pass through a liquid is the lack of shear strength. So the wave that cannot travel through liquids is the one that moves by shear.

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