What are Love waves and why are seismologists studying them?

In summary, seismologists have discovered a subtle and mysterious global hum made of Love waves, named after AEH Love, that are detected by studying records from Earth's seismic stations. This phenomenon remains unexplained and is being further studied by scientists.
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wolram
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  • #2
I would love for there to be love waves.
 
  • #3
Why is this in Skepticism and Debunking? These are called Love waves because they are named after AEH Love, the same person who developed models for solid body tides in planetary objects. The cited ABC report is a summary of an article in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
 
  • #4
It appears to be unexplained, which makes it appropriate for S&D.
 
  • #5
Aww man, this thread isn't nearly cool enough as the title makes it out to be.
 
  • #6
Poop-Loops said:
Aww man, this thread isn't nearly cool enough as the title makes it out to be.

Welcome to the internet.
 
  • #7

1. What are Love waves?

Love waves are a type of surface seismic wave that are generated by an earthquake or other seismic event. These waves travel along the surface of the Earth and can cause significant damage to buildings and other structures.

2. How are Love waves different from other types of seismic waves?

Love waves are classified as a type of surface wave, meaning that they travel along the surface of the Earth instead of through it. They also have a horizontal motion, as opposed to the vertical motion of other types of seismic waves.

3. What causes Love waves to be generated?

Love waves are generated when energy from an earthquake or other seismic event is transferred to the surface of the Earth. This can be caused by the movement of tectonic plates, volcanic activity, or even man-made explosions.

4. How fast do Love waves travel?

The speed of Love waves can vary depending on the material they are travelling through, but on average they travel at about 3.5 km/s on the surface of the Earth.

5. Can Love waves be predicted?

While scientists can predict the likelihood of an earthquake occurring, it is not currently possible to predict when or where Love waves will be generated. However, ongoing research and advancements in technology may eventually lead to the ability to predict these waves in the future.

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