seaquake

American  

[see-kweyk] / ˈsiˌkweɪk /

noun

1. an agitation of the sea caused by a submarine eruption or earthquake.

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seaquake British  

/ ˈsiːˌkweɪk /

noun

1. obsolete an agitation and disturbance of the sea caused by an earthquake at the sea bed. It is now usually described as an earthquake

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seaquake Scientific  

/ sē′kwāk′ /

1. An earthquake originating under the ocean floor. Seaquakes are caused by shifting of the tectonic plates at the bottom of the ocean. The seabed pushes and pulls on the water above it, sending violent pressure waves toward the surface and often creating tsunamis.

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Etymology

Origin of seaquake

First recorded in 1670–80; sea + (earth)quake

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

seaquake

"Do you believe in the seaquake?" struck in Harryman mockingly.

From Banzai! by Parabellum by Ferdinand Heinrich Grautoff

So far the only authority we have for this supposed seaquake is a Japanese captain—whom, by the way, I am having sharply watched—and a bundle of worthless Hong-Kong newspapers.

From Banzai! by Parabellum by Ferdinand Heinrich Grautoff

The Japanese steamer which brought us the news of the famous seaquake has been anchored beside him for four days.

From Banzai! by Parabellum by Ferdinand Heinrich Grautoff

There was not a word about the tremendous seaquake at Ternate, although one half of the receipts was destined for the devastated districts.

From The Hidden Force A Story of Modern Java by Louis Couperus

"And the Hong-Kong papers had already published descriptions of the destruction caused by the seaquake, of the tidal waves, and the accidents to ships," came from another quarter.

From Banzai! by Parabellum by Ferdinand Heinrich Grautoff