1. n. [Geophysics]

A wave that propagates at the interface between two media as opposed to through a medium. A surface wave can travel at the interface between the Earth and air, or the Earth and water. Love waves and Rayleigh waves are surface waves.

See: abnormal events,  body wave,  dispersion,  ground roll,  guided wave,  Love wave,  noise,  Rayleigh wave,  Stoneley wave,  tube wave