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

“Earthquakes pop off around the state, and it’s a little bit like popcorn that they hit — sometimes they bunch up for reasons that we don’t understand,” said Susan Hough, seismologist for the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

Thursday’s Malibu earthquake was part of the 14th seismic sequence with at least one magnitude 4 or higher earthquake this year in Southern California, said seismologist Lucy Jones, a Caltech research associate.

From Los Angeles Times

“If you take the last 30 years as your definition of how often you should expect to be feeling earthquakes, you are underestimating the long-term rate,” said seismologist Lucy Jones, a Caltech research associate.

From Los Angeles Times

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

Benjamin Fernando, a Johns Hopkins seismologist, recently said that seismic signals from a meteor crash Loeb was investigating were more likely due to a car backfiring.

From Los Angeles Times