Why would surface waves be more damaging to buildings than p waves or s waves?

Because the amplitude of surface waves diminishes less rapidly with distance than the amplitude of P or S waves, surface waves are often the most important component of ground shaking far from the earthquake source, thus can be the most destructive.

whats the meaning of /

a plasma is a warm ionized gasoline consisting of approximately equal numbers of definitely charged ions and negatively charged electrons. the characteristics of plasmas are notably unique from the ones of ordinary neutral gases in order that plasmas are considered a awesome "fourth kingdom of remember."