What does waterquake mean?
Waterquake is a noun for an earthquake whose focus or epicentre lies beneath a body of water, such as an ocean, sea, or large lake. In scientific and news contexts, the term can also be used more broadly for a seafloor disturbance that generates waves in the overlying water. The important distinction from tsunami is that a waterquake is the seismic event at its source, whereas a tsunami is the series of water waves that may result from that event; not every waterquake produces a tsunami. Waterquakes are most often discussed in relation to submarine tectonics, seafloor mapping, and tsunami hazard. The word is relatively uncommon in everyday speech, but it is useful when the location of an earthquake matters or when discussing an undersea event without implying that waves have already reached shore. It occurs in both British and American English, and specialist literature sometimes uses alternatives such as submarine earthquake, undersea earthquake, or seaquake.
nounAn earthquake occurring beneath a body of water, especially beneath the sea or an ocean. The term may also refer to the disturbance of the water caused by such an earthquake.
- An earthquake or seismic disturbance occurring beneath a body of water.
"Seismologists detected a powerful waterquake beneath the bay."
"Seismologists detected a powerful waterquake beneath the bay."
"Early newspaper reports described the waterquake as a violent shaking felt along the coast."
Use the plural when referring to more than one undersea earthquake or seismic event.
"Several waterquakes were recorded along the active fault line."
A waterquake happens beneath the waves, while its most famous consequence—the tsunami—happens at the surface.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of waterquake
Waterquake is an English compound formed from water and quake. Quake derives from Old English cwace, meaning “a trembling or shaking,” and belongs to a Germanic word family also represented by Old Norse kviki, meaning “alive,” and Danish kvage, meaning “to shudder.” Earthquake, seaquake, and waterquake therefore share the English element quake, although their prefixes specify the setting or source of the seismic event.
How waterquake is actually used
Used mainly in scientific, geographical, and news contexts; it is uncommon in everyday speech. A waterquake names the undersea seismic event, not the resulting tsunami.