shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from underground movement along a fault plane or from volcanic activity
"The powerful earthquake caused buildings to sway violently as energy released by underground tectonic shifts traveled through the ground."
a disturbance that is extremely disruptive
"selling the company caused an earthquake among the employees"
A shaking of the ground, caused by volcanic activity or movement around geologic faults.
"The recent eruption triggered a violent earthquake that shook the entire valley."
In plain English: An earthquake is when the ground shakes suddenly because rocks under the surface break and move.
"The earthquake shook the windows in every house along the coast."
Usage: Use this noun to describe sudden ground shaking caused by tectonic shifts rather than volcanic eruptions alone. It functions as both a standalone event and in verb form when something physically experiences the tremors.
To undergo an earthquake.
"The ancient temple crumbled as it underwent a violent earthquake during the night."
The word comes from Middle English erthequake, which combines "earth" and "quake." It replaced an earlier term derived from Old English that literally meant "earth shaking."