Are P waves faster than S waves?

As a seismologist with extensive experience in the study of seismic waves, I can provide you with a detailed answer to your question. P-waves and S-waves are indeed body waves that propagate through the Earth's interior. P-waves are primary waves that travel faster than S-waves. They are compressional waves, meaning they cause particles in the Earth's interior to oscillate back and forth in the direction of the wave's propagation. This ability to compress and expand the material they pass through allows P-waves to travel through both solid and liquid layers of the Earth, including the outer core. On the other hand, S-waves, or secondary waves, are slower and can only travel through solids. They are transverse waves, causing particles to move perpendicular to the direction of the wave's travel. Because of this, S-waves cannot propagate through the liquid outer core of the Earth. The speed difference between P-waves and S-waves is significant and is a key factor in earthquake monitoring and early warning systems. The fact that P-waves travel faster allows them to reach seismic monitoring stations before S-waves, providing a precious lead time to prepare for the arrival of the more destructive S-waves. In summary, P-waves are indeed faster than S-waves, with P-waves traveling on average about 60% faster. This difference in speed is due to the nature of the waves and the way the Earth's interior reacts to them.

P-waves and S-waves are body waves that propagate through the planet. P-waves travel 60% faster than S-waves on average, because the interior of the Earth does not react the same way to both of them. P-waves are compression waves that apply a force in the direction of propagation.