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earthquake
/ ˈɜːθˌkweɪk /
noun
- a sudden release of energy in the earth's crust or upper mantle, usually caused by movement along a fault plane or by volcanic activity and resulting in the generation of seismic waves which can be destructive seismic
earthquake
/ ûrth′kwāk′ /
- A sudden movement of the Earth's lithosphere (its crust and upper mantle). Earthquakes are caused by the release of built-up stress within rocks along geologic faults or by the movement of magma in volcanic areas. They are usually followed by aftershocks.
- See Note at fault
earthquake
- A tremor of the surface of the Earth , sometimes severe and devastating, which results from shock waves generated by the movement of rock masses deep within the Earth, particularly near boundaries of tectonic plates . ( See fault , Richter scale , and seismology .)
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Notes
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Other Words From
- pre·earthquake adjective
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Word History and Origins
Origin of earthquake1
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A Closer Look
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Example Sentences
But on Thursday Boxer triggered a Golden State political earthquake, announcing that she would not seek a fifth term in 2016.
In 1997, an earthquake in Assisi caused the collapse of the main cathedral and killed ten people.
In 2010 Cuba provided the largest contingent of medical staff during the aftermath of the huge earthquake that shook Haiti.
The earthquake sparked a surge in religious belief in Japan.
It is a glimpse at life exactly as it was at 3:32 am on April 6, 2009 when the earthquake stopped time.
An earthquake completely destroyed Schiraz in Persia; 12,000 lives were lost.
She is always in fear of an earthquake, and feels safer to have a light burning in readiness all night long.
Matthew, in his account of the fact of the Resurrection, says that there was an earthquake when the angel rolled away the stone.
A terrible earthquake happened at Pekin, in China, throwing down houses and burying more than 1,000 inhabitants in the ruins.
The town of Praia, in the island of Terceira, completely destroyed by an earthquake.
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