seismology

American  

[sahyz-mol-uh-jee, sahys-] / saɪzˈmɒl ə dʒi, saɪs- /

noun

1. the science or study of earthquakes and their phenomena.

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seismology British  

/ saɪzˈmɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the branch of geology concerned with the study of earthquakes and seismic waves

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seismology Scientific  

/ sīz-mŏl′ə-jē /

1. The scientific study of earthquakes and of the internal structure of the Earth. It includes the study of the origin, geographic distribution, effects, and possible prediction of earthquakes.

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seismology Cultural  

1. The branch of science devoted to the study of seismic waves and the information they provide about the structure of the interior of the Earth.

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Discover More

Our knowledge of the properties of the crust, the mantle, and the core comes from this field.

Other Word Forms

• seismologist
  noun
• seismologic
  adjective
• seismological
  adjective
• seismologically
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of seismology

First recorded in 1855–60; seismo- + -logy

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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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

seismology

"What they see now is their new coastline," Nane Danlag of the Philippines' seismology centre told AFP from her office in General Santos City on Friday, adding the change was permanent.

From Barron's ● Jun. 19, 2026

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 Australian proclaims that the analysis will lead to “the erosion of seismology as a credible branch of science and the destruction of seismologists as credible researchers.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2024

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

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