microseism
- noun
- /ˌmaɪkroʊˈsaɪzəm/
- Specialized
- The seismologist detected a microseism triggered by distant ocean waves.
Examples
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Unlike an earthquake, a microseism is generally not felt by people.
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Sensitive instruments recorded a series of microseisms throughout the night.
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A microseism can be hard to detect.
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The researchers detected a microseism during their study.
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Sensitive instruments recorded a series of microseisms throughout the night.
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The seismologist detected a microseism triggered by distant ocean waves.
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Unlike an earthquake, a microseism is generally not felt by people.
Synonyms
25
4.9
A small earthquake that moves the ground slightly
3
4.6
A sudden shaking of the ground that happens when energy is released underground
1
3.7
A small earthquake that causes little or no damage
1
9.5
A shaking of the ground caused by movement under the earth
How Strong
Surface Forms
Morphology
microseism = seism (opaque) = micro + seism
The prefix micro- is transparent, but seism is not a clear standalone English base for most learners, so the overall meaning is not easily recoverable.
Etymology
The word microseism is made of micro- 'small' and seism 'shake', the same root found in seismic. So a microseism is a 'small shake' of the ground, usually too weak to feel and often caused by ocean waves.