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Comprehensive
Dictionary Suite
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act of God in law, a sudden unforeseen event, esp. a natural disaster such as an earthquake, flood, or tornado, that is caused entirely by forces of nature and could not have been prevented.
aftershock a small earthquake or a series of small earthquakes that follows a larger one and that originates at or near the same epicenter.
disaster a sudden calamity, esp. one causing widespread damage or suffering such as an earthquake, flood, oil spill, or fire. [1/2 definitions]
epicenter the point on the earth's surface directly above the central source of an earthquake.
force of nature a hurricane, an earthquake, or other such powerful natural event, esp. one that is highly destructive, usu. generated by atmospheric or lithospheric conditions. [1/3 definitions]
foreshock a minor earthquake that precedes a major one at the same place.
groundswell a wide, slow-moving ocean swell, caused by a distant earthquake or storm. [1/2 definitions]
magnitude the measure of strength of an earthquake. [1/4 definitions]
natural disaster a disaster, such as an earthquake, flood, or volcanic eruption, that is caused by natural rather than human forces and which destroys life and property.
quake to shake or tremble as buildings during an earthquake. [2/3 definitions]
Rayleigh wave a wave on the surface of a solid, such as that caused on the surface of the earth by an earthquake.
Richter scale a logarithmic scale from one to ten that is used to measure the intensity and magnitude of an earthquake.
seaquake an earthquake on or under the ocean floor.
seismic of, concerning, or resulting from an earthquake.
seismo- earthquake.
seismometer an instrument that measures movement of the ground, such as movement caused by an earthquake, volcanic eruption, or explosion.
temblor a trembling of the earth; earthquake.
tsunami a very large, often destructive sea wave caused by a marine earthquake or volcanic explosion.