Seismology
Scientific study of earthquakes and elastic wave propagation.
Seismology is the scientific study of earthquakes and the generation and propagation of elastic waves through planetary bodies. It includes studies of environmental effects such as tsunamis, other seismic sources like volcanoes and plate tectonics, and artificial processes such as explosions.
- field
- Earth science
- known_for
- Study of earthquakes, seismic waves, and Earth's interior structure
- father_of_modern_seismology
- Robert Mallet (coined the word 'seismology')
Lore & Background
Scholarly interest in earthquakes dates to antiquity, with early naturalistic explanations from Greek philosophers and the Chinese polymath Zhang Heng. In the 17th century, Athanasius Kircher proposed that earthquakes were caused by fire moving within Earth's channels, while Martin Lister and Nicolas Lemery suggested chemical explosions.
Reader's Guide
By the 1960s, plate tectonics emerged as a comprehensive theory. Seismic waves are classified as body waves (P and S waves) and surface waves (Rayleigh and Love waves), with normal modes revealing deep Earth structure. Controlled-source seismology uses explosions or vibrations for underground exploration.
Did You Know?
- Robert Mallet coined the word 'seismology' and is considered the 'Father of Seismology'.
More in Geology & Earth Surface 1-23
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record