what does p wave
P wave. A P wave, or compressional wave, is a seismic body wave that shakes the ground back and forth in the same direction and the opposite direction as the direction the wave is moving.Share this page:1  Facebook. 2  Twitter. 3  Google. 4  Email. 5  Earthquakes. 6  Latest Earthquakes. 7  Real-time Feeds & Notifications. P wave, or compressional wave, is a seismic body wave that shakes the ground back and forth in the same direction and the opposite direction as the direction the wave is moving. Share this page: 1  Facebook. 2  Twitter. 3  Google. 4  Email. 5  Earthquakes.