Seismic waves, slower than P or S waves, that propagate along the Earth's surface rather than through the deep interior. Two principal types of surface waves, Love and Rayleigh waves, are generated during an earthquake. Rayleigh waves cause both vertical and horizontal ground motion, and Love waves cause horizontal motion only. They both produce ground shaking at the Earth's surface but very little motion deep in the Earth. Because the amplitude of surface waves diminishes less rapidly with distance than the amplitude of P or S waves, surface waves are often the most important component of ground shaking far from the earthquake source. (See seismic waves.)

Seismic waves with motion restricted to near the ground surface (Love and Rayleigh)

Seismic waves that travel along the Earth's surface.

A surface wave is a seismic seismic wave that is trapped near the surface of the earth, the opposite of a ("body wave"), which moves through the interior of the earth.

Waves that move over the surface of the Earth. Rayleigh and Love waves are surface waves.

Seismic waves that follow the Earth's surface only, with a speed less than that of S waves.

a combination of transverse and longitudinal waves at the surface of water.