What kind of seismic waves cause the most damage?

Seismic waves are categorized into two main types: body waves and surface waves. Body waves, which include P-waves (primary waves) and S-waves (secondary waves), travel through the Earth's interior. Surface waves, on the other hand, travel along the Earth's surface and are responsible for the shaking and damage we experience during an earthquake. Among the various types of seismic waves, surface waves are known to cause the most damage. This is because they cause the ground to shake more violently, and they are particularly destructive at or near the surface where buildings and infrastructure are located. There are two main types of surface waves: Love waves and Rayleigh waves. Love waves (L-waves) are characterized by a side-to-side shearing motion and are typically slower than S-waves. They are particularly damaging in areas with soft soil because they can cause the ground to sway more. Rayleigh waves (R-waves) have a more complex motion that includes both vertical and horizontal components, which can cause the ground to roll and shake. These waves tend to have a more pronounced effect on structures and can cause more damage than Love waves. In summary, while P-waves and S-waves are the first to be detected and can cause damage, it is the surface waves, particularly Rayleigh waves, that are most associated with the severe shaking and structural damage that can lead to the collapse of buildings and other infrastructure.

Surface waves, in contrast to body waves can only move along the surface. They arrive after the main P and S waves and are confined to the outer layers of the Earth. They cause the most surface destruction. Earthquake surface waves are divided into two different categories: Love and Rayleigh.