Question

Shear waves do not travel through the

• A. upper continental crust
• B. upper mantle
• C. lower mantle
• D. outer core

Hint:

Shear waves cannot travel through liquids, which is why they do not pass through the Earth’s outer core, which is liquid.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding Shear Waves.
Shear waves (S-waves) are a type of seismic wave that move through the Earth’s interior. They can only travel through solid materials, not liquids.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(A) upper continental crust: Incorrect — S-waves can travel through the solid upper continental crust.
(B) upper mantle: Incorrect — The upper mantle is solid and S-waves can travel through it.
(C) lower mantle: Incorrect — The lower mantle is solid and S-waves can also travel through it.
(D) outer core: Correct — The outer core is liquid, and S-waves cannot travel through liquids.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (D) outer core, as shear waves cannot travel through liquids.