What is another name for Rayleigh waves?

Rayleigh waves are indeed referred to as surface waves. These types of waves travel along the surface of solids, and their movement is characterized by an elliptical motion that causes both vertical and horizontal displacement of the material. This unique motion allows them to carry energy along the surface while having their amplitude diminish with depth, which is a distinct feature that separates them from body waves like longitudinal (or compressional) and shear (or transverse) waves. Understanding this categorization is crucial in fields such as seismic testing and nondestructive testing because surface waves, including Rayleigh waves, are particularly effective in detecting surface-breaking flaws and can provide valuable information about material properties near the surface.