Waves are the transfer of energy from one point to another.
In longitudinal waves, energy is transferred from one point to another by the particles vibrating in the wave's line of propagation. Particle motion in longitudinal waves often follows the motion of energy.
By vibrating perpendicular to the wave's direction of transmission, particles in transverse waves move energy from one point to another. It signifies that the movement of particles in transverse waves is perpendicular to the movement of energy.
Transverse waves move more slowly than longitudinal waves. These earthquake-related waves and the speed disparity between the longitudinal and transverse waves are both plainly discernible.