surface wave

noun

plural surface waves
: an earthquake vibration propagated near the surface of the earth compare body wave

Examples of surface wave in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The last bit of shaking felt here may have resulted from longer-period surface waves coming in later, Page said. Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2024 The surface waves were obvious and adversely affected all the swimmers. Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 3 Aug. 2024 With this beefed-up Irish seismic network and data from seismometers in Britain, Lebedev and his colleagues previously used surface wave tomography to map the thickness of the lithosphere in Britain and Ireland. Elise Cutts, Discover Magazine, 29 June 2023 In addition, the fact that 2D photonic time crystals can amplify surface waves is potentially significant for next-generation wireless telecommunications. IEEE Spectrum, 17 Apr. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of surface wave was in 1887

Dictionary Entries Near surface wave

Cite this Entry

“Surface wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surface%20wave. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

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