What distinguishes surface and body seismic waves?

Answer:

Seismic waves that move below the surface of the Earth are body waves and are the first to occur. Body waves are composed of two different types of waves, P and S waves. S waves occur after P, and are the most damaging seismic waves. Seismic waves moving along the surface of the Earth are surface waves and are the last type of seismic wave to occur.