Which type of seismic wave is associated with the shaking felt during an earthquake?

The type of seismic wave most directly associated with the shaking felt during an earthquake is surface waves. These waves travel along the Earth's surface and are responsible for the most intense ground movements. They tend to have larger amplitudes and longer durations compared to other seismic waves, which is why they result in the shaking that people experience during an earthquake.

Surface waves come in two forms: Love waves and Rayleigh waves. Love waves cause horizontal shaking, while Rayleigh waves produce up-and-down motion, both contributing significantly to the overall perception of shaking.

In contrast, primary waves, which are the first to arrive at a seismic station, are compression waves that travel through the Earth's interior but are typically not felt as intensively as surface waves. Secondary waves also travel through the Earth's interior but are shear waves that arrive after primary waves, and while they can cause shaking, they do not produce the same level of surface impact as surface waves. Long waves is not a recognized category of seismic waves in this context, thus making surface waves the most appropriate choice regarding the shaking felt during an earthquake.