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Earthquakes: Plates The Slinky and The Rope

Earthquakes generate several kinds of seismic waves including P, for "Primary" and S, for "Secondary" waves.

P Waves

[Time]
animation of a P wave
The P waves move in a compressional motion similar to the motion of a slinky, while the S waves move in a shear motion perpendicular to the direction the wave is travelling.

S Waves

[Time]
animation of an S wave