What does liquefaction mean?
Liquefaction is the process by which a substance changes into a liquid or acquires liquid-like behavior. The most familiar example is the conversion of a gas into a liquid, as in the liquefaction of natural gas, which makes large-scale transport possible. In geology and civil engineering, the term also describes the weakening or movement of saturated soil when it is disturbed, especially during an earthquake. Liquefaction is therefore both a scientific process and a term for a potentially serious ground failure. The word is mainly formal and technical, but it is useful because it identifies a specific change of state rather than simply describing something as becoming wet or fluid.
The process of converting a substance into a liquid, or the state of being liquid.
"The liquefaction of the gas requires it to be cooled to a sufficiently low temperature."
The term is especially common in chemistry, physics, energy systems, and engineering.
The weakening or transformation of saturated soil into a fluid-like state, especially when subjected to seismic or other dynamic forces.
"The earthquake caused widespread soil liquefaction beneath the roadway."
This specialized engineering sense is common in geology, geotechnical engineering, and earthquake reporting.
The word is normally used as a mass noun; the plural is uncommon and appears mainly in technical or scientific contexts.
"The researchers documented several liquefactions of the unstable sediment."
Liquefaction is the transformation that makes natural gas transportable in giant tankers, while the same process can turn unstable soils into a dangerous liquid-like mass during earthquakes.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of liquefaction
The word comes through Latin formations based on liquefacere, meaning “to make liquid.” That expression combines liquere, “to be liquid,” with facere, “to make.” English developed the noun liquefaction in the 16th century, alongside related forms such as liquefy and liquid.
Related word forms
How liquefaction is actually used
In general use, the term is formal and technical. In engineering and earth science, it can refer to the loss of strength in saturated soils that are disturbed by seismic or other dynamic forces.
Easily confused with liquefaction
Liquefaction is the process of becoming or being made liquid, whereas condensation is the process of a gas becoming a liquid, usually by cooling.