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moonquake

moonquake

1 8.0
A shaking of the Moon's surface like a small earthquake caused by movement under its surface
  • noun
  • /ˈmuːnˌkweɪk/
  • Specialized
: luna temblor
  • A recent study found that the largest moonquakes can reach magnitudes that, while smaller than Earth's quakes, are still significant for lunar research.

Examples

  • Scientists have detected small moonquakes on the lunar surface that occur much less frequently than earthquakes on Earth.

  • NASA's seismographs have recorded numerous moonquakes that provide important data about the Moon's geological activity.

  • Several seconds passed before Charlotte realized it was a moonquake that had caused her to slide back down.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Another moonquake.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • We haven't figured out if a moonquake ripped a grounding cable loose or what.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Massive disruptions of the crust were going to take place, resulting in unprecedented moonquakes that extended from the core to the surface.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Most of these are animals, plants, rocks, or diseases: moon blindness, mooneye, moonfish, moonflower, moonlet, moonquake, moonseed, moon shell.

    Fiction book (1991)

How Strong

moonquake
  • Specialized
1 8.0
tremor
25 4.9
microseism
  • Specialized
9.9

Surface Forms

moonquake singular
moonquakes plural

Morphology

moonquake = moon + quake (transparent) = moon + quake

Clear compound of 'moon' + 'quake'; meaning is directly a quake occurring on the Moon and easily inferred by learners.

Etymology

Moonquake is formed like earthquake: moon is the Moon and quake means 'to shake' or 'tremble'. So a moonquake is simply a 'shake' that happens on the Moon's surface.