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

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 • Oct. 15, 2025

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

From BBC • Feb. 10, 2025

In some locations, the seismic wave travels much slower compared to other regions at the same depth, indicating the presence of fluid.

From Science Daily • Dec. 11, 2023

Normally after a quake in Turkey, Karasözen checks in with family and friends and then dives into the science, immersing herself in the physics of seismic wave propagation, postseismic deformation, aftershocks.

From Washington Post • Feb. 9, 2023

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 "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland