seismologist

[sahyz-mol-uh-jist, sahys-]

noun

1. a scientist who specializes in the study of earthquakes.

   By studying core samples taken from the ocean floor, seismologists can predict the likelihood of a major quake occurring on this fault line.

Word History and Origins

Origin of seismologist¹

First recorded in 1855–60; seismolog(y) ( def. ) + -ist ( def. )

Example Sentences

Only afterward, once the Big One has come and gone, can seismologists go back and see the pattern that led up to it.

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A shallow magnitude-6.5 earthquake struck off the coast of the French overseas territory of Guadeloupe, US seismologists said, with no damages or injuries immediately reported by authorities.

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Another issue, as documented by seismologist Lucy Jones in her book “The Big Ones,” was the reluctance of some people to evacuate.

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Southern California, in all of 2024, had 15 seismic sequences that included at least one quake that had a magnitude of 4.0 or stronger, said Lucy Jones, a seismologist and Caltech research associate.

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“Seismologists have spent decades trying to read the tea leaves to look for patterns.” said Susan Hough, a seismologist with the U.S.

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