Surface waves are a type of mechanical wave that propagate along the interface between two different media, such as air and water or rock and soil. These waves typically travel slower than other types of waves, like seismic waves, but can still cause significant damage and have important practical applications. Surface waves can be generated by a variety of sources, such as earthquakes, ocean waves, or wind, and can travel vast distances. They are often used in geophysical exploration and monitoring, such as in seismology to study the Earth's interior and in oceanography to study wave patterns and coastal erosion. Overall, research in surface waves encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including physics, geology, engineering, and environmental science, and plays a crucial role in understanding and predicting natural disasters, monitoring environmental changes, and developing new technologies.