Seismology
/ˌsaɪzˈmɑːlədʒi/noun
The scientific study of earthquakes and the propagation of seismic waves through the Earth.
Did you know?The first element, Greek *seismós*, is from a verb meaning “to shake,” and it also survives in words like *seismic*—a reminder that modern science is built on an ancient language of trembling.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*twei-
“to shake, tremble”
Ancient Greek
Greek
seismós
“a shaking, earthquake”
Ancient Greek
Greek
-logia
“the study of, discourse”
Late 19th Century
English
seismology
“the scientific study of earthquakes”
Modern English
English
seismology
“the scientific study of earthquakes and seismic waves”