seismic

Sometimes seis·mal

[sahyz-mik, sahys-]

adjective

1. pertaining to, of the nature of, or caused by an earthquake or vibration of the earth, whether due to natural or artificial causes.

seismic

/ ˈsaɪzmɪk /

adjective

1. Also (less commonly): seismical. relating to or caused by earthquakes or artificially produced earth tremors

2. of enormous proportions or having highly significant consequences

   seismic social change

seismic

1. Relating to an earthquake or to other tremors of the Earth, such as those caused by large explosions.

Other Word Forms

• seismically adverb
• nonseismic adjective
• unseismal adjective
• unseismic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of seismic¹

First recorded in 1855–60; seism + -ic

Example Sentences

Made up of thousands of islands, the Philippines sits in the so-called Ring of Fire, a seismic arc of volcanoes and fault lines around the Pacific basin that also includes Indonesia and Japan.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Meanwhile, another seismic strategic shift was under way.

Read more on Barron's

As college football has undergone seismic upheaval in recent years, some fans doubted whether September could still deliver unforgettable events like this.

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In some places, that seismic strain is alleviated; in others, it worsens — making earthquake faults in that area even closer to potentially failing and resulting in another big earthquake.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles County is refusing to disclose a preliminary report that could explain why officials suggested that the downtown skyscraper it recently purchased to serve as its new headquarters should receive a seismic retrofit.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• tectonic