S wave -- a shadow zone appears when the velocity suddenly decreases 103-180 degrees from the epicenter. Describe the differences between P and S waves. P waves expand and contract, can move through liquid solid and gas. S wave moves up and down or side to side moves through only solids.
Optimal conditions to see the northern lights in Iceland is when skies are clear and dark (away from the city lights, in cold temperature and ideally from mid-September to mid-April.
It is not possible to experience the northern lights when it is cloudy and for obvious reasons there are no northern lights visible during summer when Iceland experiences 24 hour daylight as you need darkness to view the lights.