ScienceVolcanoes & EarthquakesAges 11–13
Seismic Waves & Earth's Interior
Distinguish between P-waves (compression, travel through solids and liquids) and S-waves (shear, cannot pass through liquids); explain why a seismic shadow zone exists on the far side of an earthquake; describe how seismologists use wave refraction and reflection to infer that Earth has a solid inner core, liquid outer core, mantle, and crust
Learning resources
Reviewed external links that reinforce this concept. They do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.
No reviewed resources for this concept yet.
The teaching approach above still stands. Curated practice links will appear here as the shelf fills.
Explore the learning path
1 before · 3 after
Loading map…
This concept
Seismic Waves & Earth's InteriorConceptual concept
Check understanding
No checks listed
“Can your child explain how scientists know Earth has a liquid outer core if nobody has ever drilled that deep — what clues do earthquake waves give us about Earth's hidden interior?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Volcanoes & Earthquakes
- Age range
- Ages 11–13