When the rocks about a fault move suddenly, vibrations occur and waves transmit energy through the earth.
Body waves travel below the surface of the earth in rocks.
Primary (P) and secondary (S) waves are two types of body waves.
S waves are called sheering waves because they move the ground back and forth.
Body waves radiate out of a fault that is rupturing.
All of the rock that is the path of a P wave is compressed and expanded alternately [compression waves].
S waves sheer or twist the rocks.