seaquake

[ see-kweyk ]

noun

1. an agitation of the sea caused by a submarine eruption or earthquake.

seaquake

/ ˈsiːˌkweɪk /

noun

1. obsolete.
   an agitation and disturbance of the sea caused by an earthquake at the sea bed. It is now usually described as an earthquake

seaquake

/ sē′kwāk′ /

1. An earthquake originating under the ocean floor. Seaquakes are caused by shifting of the tectonic plates at the bottom of the ocean. The seabed pushes and pulls on the water above it, sending violent pressure waves toward the surface and often creating tsunamis .

Word History and Origins

Origin of seaquake¹

First recorded in 1670–80; sea + (earth)quake

Example Sentences

A celacanto, or coelacanth, is a rare order of fish thought to have died out with dinosaurs, until several specimens were spotted in 1938, causing what could be called a seaquake in evolutionary science.

From New York Times

There was not a word about the tremendous seaquake at Ternate, although one half of the receipts was destined for the devastated districts.

From Project Gutenberg

The article also referred to the tsunami as a seaquake, based on Chileans' use of the Spanish word "maremoto" to refer to the waves that follow an earthquake.

From Washington Post

"And the Hong-Kong papers had already published descriptions of the destruction caused by the seaquake, of the tidal waves, and the accidents to ships," came from another quarter.

From Project Gutenberg

So far the only authority we have for this supposed seaquake is a Japanese captain—whom, by the way, I am having sharply watched—and a bundle of worthless Hong-Kong newspapers.

From Project Gutenberg