As a seismologist with extensive experience in the study of seismic waves, I can provide you with a detailed comparison between S and P waves. Both S and P waves are types of body waves, which means they travel through the Earth's interior. They are distinct from surface waves, which only travel along the Earth's surface. Here are some key similarities between S and P waves: 1. Penetration: Both P and S waves can penetrate the entire depth of the Earth, unlike surface waves that are confined to the surface. 2. Origin: They both originate from the same source, which is the focus of the earthquake. 3. Speed and Arrival Time: P waves are generally faster than S waves, which is why P waves are felt or recorded at seismographs before S waves following an earthquake. 4. Elastic Energy: Both types of waves carry energy away from the earthquake source, contributing to the shaking experienced during a seismic event. read more >>

Earthquakes generate three types of seismic waves: P (primary) waves, S (secondary) waves and surface waves, which arrive at seismic recording stations one after another. Both P and S waves penetrate the interior of the Earth while surface waves do not. Due to this, P and S waves are known as "body waves".read more >>