seismic wave

American  

noun

1. a wave of energy that is generated by an earthquake or other earth vibration and that travels within the earth or along its surface.

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seismic wave British  

noun

1. an earth vibration generated by an earthquake or explosion

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Etymology

Origin of seismic wave

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

The motion of light elements may explain seismic anisotropy -- directional variations in seismic wave speeds -- and could also play a role in sustaining Earth's magnetic field.

From Science Daily

Most of the shaking that we think of as an earthquake is caused by a category of seismic wave known as surface waves, which roil Earth’s crust, taking everything on it for a ride.

From Literature

Scientists have increasingly observed how the rupturing of a fault during an earthquake can be even faster than the speed of another type of damaging seismic wave, theoretically generating energy on the level of a sonic boom.

From Los Angeles Times

Traditionally, it was thought that the rupturing of a fault moved slower than another type of damaging seismic wave, known as a shear wave.

From Los Angeles Times

The new analysis looked at seismic wave patterns from earthquakes that repeated in the same location between 1991 and 2023.

From BBC