thunderquakes

Definition

A seismic shock wave generated in the ground by the acoustic energy of a lightning strike.

Etymology

The word is a portmanteau of 'thunder' and 'earthquake,' combining the natural phenomenon of a thunderclap with the seismic ground shaking typically associated with geological shifts.

In the news

The article introduces thunderquakes as a tool that scientists can use for seismic imaging, allowing them to probe beneath the Earth's surface using existing fiber-optic cables.

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