seismicity

noun

seis·​mic·​i·​ty sīz-ˈmi-sə-tē How to pronounce seismicity (audio)
sīs-
: the relative frequency and distribution of earthquakes

Examples of seismicity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web And ground-monitoring satellites confirmed what the seismicity suggested: The ground above Svartsengi’s sill had fallen as magma drained. Robin George Andrews, Quanta Magazine, 20 Feb. 2024 The seismicity was clustered around a miniature mountain called Þorbjörn, which is near the Blue Lagoon spa, a geothermal power station and Grindavík, home to 3,500 people. Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 19 Dec. 2023 Something similar happened in 2013, when seismicity appeared to drop only to pick up after a year. Alessio Perrone, Scientific American, 4 Dec. 2023 At that time modest seismicity picked up, paired with the slow flexing—uplift and sinking—of the ground. Alessio Perrone, Scientific American, 4 Dec. 2023 The frequency of earthquakes in the area had decreased by Friday at 6 a.m. local time, but officials said seismicity is still considered to be elevated. Jillian Sykes, CNN, 6 Oct. 2023 Lopez, then a postdoctoral student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute (now a research associate professor), was studying the relationship of volcanic gases to seismicity on Mounts Mageik and Martin and Trident Volcano. Ned Rozell | Alaska Science, Anchorage Daily News, 26 Aug. 2023 This uncertainty can complicate simple generalizations associating lithosphere thickness with seismicity like those suggested in the new study, Sandiford said. Elise Cutts, Discover Magazine, 29 June 2023 Deep Structure This isn’t the first time scientists have linked lithosphere thickness to intraplate seismicity in general. Elise Cutts, Discover Magazine, 29 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'seismicity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of seismicity was in 1902

Dictionary Entries Near seismicity

Cite this Entry

“Seismicity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seismicity. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

seismicity

noun
seis·​mic·​i·​ty sīz-ˈmis-ət-ē How to pronounce seismicity (audio)
sīs-
: the relative frequency and distribution of earthquakes

More from Merriam-Webster on seismicity

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