Dave,

I think in real world seismology, not everything always exactly 
follows the simple theory.  We see P waves quite well on our 
verticals.  For one thing they are body waves and commonly approach 
the station from an angle below the horizontal.  Also I think there 
is always a transverse motion associated with compression waves like 
P waves--look up Poisson's Ratio.  I would normally expect them to 
have a transverse motion of very roughly 1/3 the amplitude of their 
longitudinal motion.

Regards,
Brett

At 03:57 PM 3/24/2011, you wrote:

>>Found what I was looking for ,,,,,  a animation of a P wave
>
>http://www.geo.mtu.edu/UPSeis/images/P-wave_animation.gif
>
>notice there is NO vertical motion, it is totally longitudinal
>P waves travel like sound waves do  :)
>
>cheers
>Dave
>


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