1. Dispersion: Surface waves exhibit a phenomenon called dispersion, where different frequency components of the wave travel at different speeds. The lower frequency components move faster than the higher frequency components, causing the wave pulse to spread out over time. Due to dispersion, surface waves can appear as a series of wave packets, each containing a specific range of frequencies.
2. Attenuation: Surface waves are subject to more rapid attenuation or loss of energy as they propagate compared to body waves. This attenuation occurs due to the interaction of surface waves with the earth's surface materials. Geological factors like the presence of soft sediments, irregularities in surface topography, and subsurface layering contribute to the attenuation of surface waves. As a result, surface waves diminish more rapidly with distance from their source compared to body waves.
