seismology
Americannoun
noun
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Our knowledge of the properties of the crust, the mantle, and the core comes from this field.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of seismology
Explanation
If you're fascinated by earthquakes and the science behind them, you might want to study seismology. This branch of geology includes learning about tectonic plates, volcanoes, and earthquake prediction. The noun seismology comes from the Greek word for "earthquake," seismos, which stems from seiein, "to shake, agitate, or shiver." The suffix -logy is used to mean "the study of." Someone who's an expert in seismology is called a seismologist, and they study the seismic waves sent by earthquakes and the effects of earthquakes (like tsunamis), as well as the causes.
Vocabulary lists containing seismology
"Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone, Prologue–Chapter 14
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Artemis Fowl
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for March 12–March 18, 2022
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Philippine seismology office has recorded more than 800 aftershocks since the first quake struck Mindanao, which is riddled by major faults.
From Barron's • Oct. 11, 2025
The 1933 temblor also prompted the state to authorize research into seismology and how structures could be constructed to resist shaking.
From Salon • Jan. 26, 2025
Not according to Robert Geller, professor emeritus of seismology at the University of Tokyo.
From BBC • Aug. 9, 2024
One project, for example, might involve studying the seismology of Venus through balloons that are tested first on Earth, or the deployment of small subsurface drones to study melting of Antarctic ice shelves.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2024
“We just got a four,” she told Steve Malone, the head of the seismology lab.
From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
