seismology
Americannoun
noun
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Our knowledge of the properties of the crust, the mantle, and the core comes from this field.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of seismology
Explanation
If you're fascinated by earthquakes and the science behind them, you might want to study seismology. This branch of geology includes learning about tectonic plates, volcanoes, and earthquake prediction. The noun seismology comes from the Greek word for "earthquake," seismos, which stems from seiein, "to shake, agitate, or shiver." The suffix -logy is used to mean "the study of." Someone who's an expert in seismology is called a seismologist, and they study the seismic waves sent by earthquakes and the effects of earthquakes (like tsunamis), as well as the causes.
Vocabulary lists containing seismology
"Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone, Prologue–Chapter 14
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Artemis Fowl
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for March 12–March 18, 2022
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Since the June 8 quake, more than 8,500 aftershocks have shaken the region, according to the seismology agency.
From Barron's ● Jun. 19, 2026
The earthquake ended up rupturing a much longer section of the fault than scientists expected, given the seismology of the region.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2025
The 1933 temblor also prompted the state to authorize research into seismology and how structures could be constructed to resist shaking.
From Salon ● Jan. 26, 2025
The Philippines' seismology agency has also issued a tsunami warning.
From BBC ● Apr. 2, 2024
The seismology section had a million probes down here, with a ninety-nine point eight success rate at predicting the magma flares.
From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
