submarine earthquake
- noun
- /ˈsʌbməˌrin ˈɜrθˌkweɪk/
- Specialized
:
terremoto submarino
- A submarine earthquake struck off the coast of Japan last night.
Examples
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A submarine earthquake can trigger devastating tsunamis along coastlines.
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Scientists measured the magnitude of the submarine earthquake that struck near the Pacific trench.
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After the submarine earthquake, warnings were issued for several islands in the region.
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Did you hear about the recent submarine earthquake near Indonesia?
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A submarine earthquake beneath the Pacific Ocean triggered a massive tsunami that affected several coastal cities.
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Scientists are studying the impact of submarine earthquakes on ocean currents and marine life.
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The coastal community was evacuated after a warning about a possible tsunami generated by a submarine earthquake.
Synonyms
An earthquake on the sea floor that can cause a tsunami
How Strong
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly and compositionally derived from 'submarine' (beneath the sea) + 'earthquake' (seismic ground shaking), so a learner who knows both words can infer an earthquake occurring under the sea. This compound follows common compounding and descriptive patterns found across languages, making it readily understandable to a B1 learner.
Etymology
Submarine earthquake gives a clear picture: submarine means 'under the sea' and earthquake is the shaking of the ground, so it is an earthquake that happens under the sea floor. When the sea floor moves it can push the water and make very large waves, which is why these quakes often cause 'tsunamis'.