As a geophysicist with expertise in the study of seismic waves, I can provide a detailed answer to your question. The fastest type of wave, when referring to seismic waves, is the P-wave, also known as the primary wave. These waves are characterized by their high frequency and the fact that they are the first to be detected at a seismic station when an earthquake occurs. P-waves are compressional waves that can travel through all states of matter, including solids, liquids, and gases. They are faster than any other type of seismic wave because they involve the particles of the medium moving back and forth in the same direction as the wave is traveling. read more >>

These waves are of a higher frequency than surface waves. The first kind of body wave is the P wave or primary wave. This is the fastest kind of seismic wave, and, consequently, the first to 'arrive' at a seismic station. The P wave can move through solid rock and fluids, like water or the liquid layers of the earth.read more >>