A1 noun Neutral

earthquake

/ˈɜːrθˌkweɪk/

An earthquake is a sudden and violent shaking of the ground. It is caused by movements within the earth's crust or volcanic action and can cause great destruction.

Examples

3 of 5
1

Did you feel the earthquake last night?

Were you aware of the ground shaking yesterday evening?

2

The government is providing aid to the earthquake victims.

Official leaders are giving help to the people hurt by the ground shaking.

3

That earthquake totally messed up the roads.

The ground shaking really ruined the streets.

Word Family

Noun
earthquake
Adjective
earthquake-prone
Related
quake
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Memory Tip

Think of the two words it is made of: 'Earth' + 'Quake'. To 'quake' means to shake. So, the Earth is shaking!

Quick Quiz

The ______ caused the old building to fall down.

Correct!

The correct answer is: earthquake

Examples

1

Did you feel the earthquake last night?

everyday

Were you aware of the ground shaking yesterday evening?

2

The government is providing aid to the earthquake victims.

formal

Official leaders are giving help to the people hurt by the ground shaking.

3

That earthquake totally messed up the roads.

informal

The ground shaking really ruined the streets.

4

The magnitude of the earthquake was recorded at 6.5.

academic

The power of the seismic event was measured as 6.5 on the scale.

5

Our office is built to survive a major earthquake.

business

The company building is designed to stay standing during a large seismic event.

Word Family

Noun
earthquake
Adjective
earthquake-prone
Related
quake

Common Collocations

strong earthquake a very powerful shaking of the ground
earthquake drill practicing what to do when the ground shakes
earthquake zone an area where shaking happens often
suffer an earthquake to experience the damage of the shaking ground
earthquake victim a person harmed by the shaking of the ground

Common Phrases

the Big One

a hypothetical, very large and destructive earthquake

earthquake proof

designed to not be damaged by an earthquake

earthquake relief

money, food, or help given to people after an earthquake

Often Confused With

earthquake vs tsunami

An earthquake is the shaking of the ground, while a tsunami is a large sea wave often caused by that shaking.

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Usage Notes

The word is almost always used with verbs like 'hit', 'strike', or 'occur'. It is a countable noun, so you can have 'an earthquake' or 'many earthquakes'.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use the verb 'do' or 'make' with earthquake, but you should say an earthquake 'happens', 'occurs', or 'hits'.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the two words it is made of: 'Earth' + 'Quake'. To 'quake' means to shake. So, the Earth is shaking!

📖

Word Origin

From the Old English 'eorthe' (ground) combined with 'cwacian' (to tremble or shake).

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun Plural form: earthquakes Often follows the existential 'There was an earthquake'
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Cultural Context

In many countries like Japan, California, and Chile, earthquake safety is a major part of the school curriculum and daily life.

Quick Quiz

The ______ caused the old building to fall down.

Correct!

The correct answer is: earthquake

More nature words

rainforest

A1

A thick forest in a tropical area that receives a large amount of rain throughout the year. It is a dense habitat known for having many different types of plants and animals.

tundra

A1

A large, flat area of land in very cold parts of the world, such as the Arctic. In this area, the ground is frozen and there are no trees, only small plants like moss.

wetland

A1

A wetland is an area of land that is always wet or covered with shallow water. It is a very important place where many different plants and animals, like birds and frogs, live.

coral reef

A1

A coral reef is a large underwater structure made from the skeletons of small sea animals called corals. They are usually found in warm, shallow parts of the ocean and provide a home for many types of fish.

vegetation

A1

Vegetation refers to all the plants and trees that grow in a particular area. It is used to describe the green cover of the earth, like forests or grass.

foliage

A1

Foliage refers to the leaves of a plant or tree, considered as a group. It is often used to describe the overall appearance and mass of greenery in a landscape or forest.

canopy

A1

A canopy is a cover that hangs over something, like a bed or a seat, to provide shade or protection. In nature, it is the top layer of a forest where the branches and leaves of tall trees meet to form a roof.

photosynthesis

A1

Photosynthesis is the natural process that green plants use to make their own food. They use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create energy and release oxygen into the air.

pollination

A1

Pollination is the process of moving pollen from one flower to another to help plants make seeds and fruit. This is usually done by insects like bees or by the wind.

seedling

A1

A seedling is a very young plant that has just started to grow from a seed. It usually has a small green stem and its first few tiny leaves.

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