# earthquake

/ˈɝθˌkweɪk/ (US) · /ˈɜːθkweɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/earthquake
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. shaking of the ground

noun · CEFR B1

a sudden shaking of the ground caused by movement deep under the Earth's surface.

For teachers: a sudden release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere that creates seismic waves, typically caused by tectonic plate movement or volcanic activity.

- The earthquake was so strong that it cracked the walls of several houses in the village.
- Seismologists monitored the aftershocks for weeks following the initial earthquake, which measured 7.2 on the Richter scale and caused significant structural damage across the province.

### 2. a major upheaval

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a sudden and big change that causes a lot of trouble or shock in a situation.

For teachers: a sudden and intense upheaval or disruptive event that fundamentally alters a social, political, or economic landscape.

- The sudden resignation of the prime minister was a political earthquake for the country.
- The invention of the internet triggered a cultural earthquake, permanently shifting how humanity accesses information and maintains social connections.

### 3. to shake

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary · Archaic

to shake or tremble as if an earthquake is happening.

For teachers: to undergo a seismic event or to tremble with great intensity. This verbal use is rare and typically found in descriptive or older texts.

- The ground began to earthquake beneath their feet as the heavy machinery started up.
- In the ancient myth, the very foundations of the mountains would earthquake whenever the giants moved in their sleep.

## Examples

- The earthquake shook the buildings in the city center.
- After the earthquake struck the coast, emergency services worked quickly to check for damage to the bridge.
- Geologists monitor seismic activity along the fault line to better understand the patterns that precede a major earthquake, though precise prediction remains a significant scientific challenge.

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