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

The research team used satellite data and seismic measurements to examine the glacier's breakdown in detail.

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Behind the scenes the changes have been seismic.

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Needless to say, the Scots will need to raise their level to have any hope of ending that 27-year hoodoo, so how does Clarke rouse his team for a seismic camp?

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On the other side of the world, beneath the Atlantic Ocean, the tectonic plates are moving apart, or diverging, which creates a more stable seismic environment.

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Yet, surprisingly, seismic activity does take place within the first few kilometers beneath the surface -- precisely where the ground is considered most stable.

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Related Words

• tectonic