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- (abbreviation for primary wave) A body wave that causes the compression
of rocks when its
energy acts upon them. When the P wave moves past a
rock, the rock expands beyond its original volume,
only to be compressed again by the next P wave. P
waves are the fastest of all seismic waves. See also S wave.
- A seismic wave that propagates by alternating compressions and
rarefactions in an elastic medium; the motion is in the direction of
propagation. It is the type that carries sound. Syn:
compressional wave;
dilatational wave; irrotational wave; longitudinal wave; pressure wave;
push wave. AGI
Source:
Dictionary of Mining, Mineral, and Related Terms
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