surface waves
[/ˈsɜːrfɪs weɪvz/]
nounpl: surface waves
ondas de superfície
1. Waves that travel along the boundary between two media, such as between air and water, with energy concentrated near the surface
Surface waves are responsible for most of the damage caused by earthquakes.
As ondas de superfície são responsáveis pela maioria dos danos causados por terremotos.
2. In oceanography, waves on the water surface caused by wind, gravity, or seismic activity
The ship encountered large surface waves during the storm.
O navio encontrou grandes ondas de superfície durante a tempestade.
3. In seismology, seismic waves that propagate along the Earth's surface, including Rayleigh and Love waves
Seismologists use surface waves to detect and measure earthquakes.
Os sismólogos usam ondas de superfície para detectar e medir terremotos.
The term 'surface waves' is primarily used in scientific and technical contexts in both Brazil and the USA, particularly in geology, seismology, oceanography, and physics. It is not commonly used in everyday colloquial speech. The study of surface waves became particularly important in Brazil and other seismically active regions for earthquake monitoring and disaster prevention.
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