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Glite Dictionary
seismic event

seismic event

3 4.6
A sudden shaking of the ground that happens when energy is released underground
  • noun
  • /ˈsaɪzmɪk ɪˈvɛnt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : evento sísmico
  • After the seismic event, many residents reported feeling their homes shake and some minor damage occurred.

Examples

  • Scientists study the impact of a seismic event to better understand how buildings can withstand earthquakes.

  • There are about 7,500 seismic events worldwide each year with magnitudes greater than 4.0.

    Academic text (1998)

  • Many seismic events are detected that cannot be identified.

    Academic text (1998)

  • We have unconfirmed reports this morning of a large seismic event off the southern California coast.

    How It Ends (2018)

  • The USGS center receives data from about 2,000 stations around the world and publishes a list of seismic events, which average about 50 per day.

    Academic text (1993)

  • The San Diego water department shared findings from the City's Seismic Assessment Project that is being conducted to prepare San Diego's water supply infrastructure for a seismic event.

    Academic text (2001)

  • The U.S. Geological Survey reported a magnitude 5.0 seismic event that shook the city early in the morning.

Synonyms

earthquake
vsseismic event
645 2.2

A sudden shaking of the ground caused by movement under the earth that can damage buildings

is defined as natural sudden energy release in the crust not only damaging cases
quake
vsseismic event
164 5.1

A sudden shaking of the ground caused by movement underground

is framed as a natural event caused by sudden energy release within the crust
shock
vsseismic event
  • Specialized
20 6.0

A sudden violent movement in the earth during an earthquake

refers more generally to natural sudden energy release not only violent movements
tremor
vsseismic event
19 4.9

A small earthquake that moves the ground slightly

covers all sizes of sudden energy release in the crust not only small movements
temblor
vsseismic event
  • US
4 8.6

A sudden shaking of the ground caused by movement inside the earth

is the broader concept of natural sudden energy release in the crust
seismic disturbance
vsseismic event
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A sudden shaking of the ground often caused by an earthquake or volcano

focuses on sudden energy release in the crust as the defining natural cause
earth tremor
vsseismic event
1 3.7

A small earthquake that causes little or no damage

is the broader natural energy release in the crust that can be larger and damaging
seism
vsseismic event
  • Specialized
9.5

A shaking of the ground caused by movement under the earth

focuses on sudden energy release in the crust as the natural cause

How Strong

earthquake
645 2.2
seismic event
  • Specialized
3 4.6
earth tremor
1 3.7

Surface Forms

seismic event singular
seismic events plural

Morphology

seismic + event

The noun phrase is directly compositional: 'seismic' (relating to earthquakes or earth vibrations) combined with 'event' (an occurrence) yields an occurrence related to earthquakes or tremors. This adjective + noun pattern is a straightforward, cross-linguistically common composition, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Seismic event comes from the word seismic, which means 'shake', and event, which means a 'happening'. It paints the picture of the ground suddenly shaking, so the phrase means 'an earthquake or tremor'.