surface wave

noun

, Geology.

1. a seismic wave that travels along or parallel to the earth's surface ( body wave ).

surface wave

1. A seismic wave that travels across the surface of the Earth as opposed to through it. Surface waves usually have larger amplitudes and longer wavelengths than body waves, and they travel more slowly than body waves do. Love waves and Rayleigh waves are kinds of surface waves.
2. Compare body waveSee Note at earthquake

Example Sentences

It wasn't exactly an A-bomb, but the spray hit us a half mile away, and the surface wave swamped us.

From Project Gutenberg

Now, the surface wave is the path marked by a submarine on the surface of the water.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• tsunami