On the classification of elastic waves

A hierarchical classification of elastic waves based on the concept of the shape of the wave profile and the fact that the phase velocity is either constant or functionally dependent on the amplitude or phase is described. By elastic waves are understood waves that propagate in elastic media and that are not necessarily linear and not necessarily single-phase, Five types of waves are introduced, being distinguished in terms of features introduced in the present article that also render their properties more complicated in terms of the hierarchical classification.