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

“What happened at Music Inn in the 1950s,” he argues, “was a remarkable confluence of place, people, and politics that reflected and augured seismic shifts and conflicts in American culture.”

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To understand how seismic activity influenced this hidden ecosystem, the researchers collected water samples from a nearly 100-meter deep borehole located along the western edge of Yellowstone Lake.

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"I can give you the guarantee we're doing everything we possibly can to make these communities safe by this... seismic investment."

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Around 2002, Thomas said, researchers identified a different kind of seismic activity.

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A second significant amount of seismic activity came moments later when the final whistle sounded on Wednesday night.

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Related Words

• tectonic