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Geology & Earth Sciences vocabulary · Earthquakes & Seismology

Liquefaction

Meaning in geology & earth sciences, with examples

/ˌlɪkwɪˈfækʃən/nounCommon term

In geology & earth sciences, liquefaction means: The process in which loose, water-saturated sand or silt loses its strength during strong earthquake shaking and behaves like a liquid.

In Turkish: sıvılaşma, zemin sıvılaşması

How it is used

A key term in earthquake engineering and engineering geology. Liquefaction can make buildings tilt or sink and cause sand boils at the surface; it was widespread in Adapazarı in 1999. Engineers assess liquefaction potential before building.

Example sentences

  1. Several buildings tilted because of liquefaction of the sandy ground.

  2. The site investigation showed a high risk of liquefaction near the river.

Common collocations

  • soil liquefaction
  • liquefaction potential
  • liquefaction risk
  • sand boils
  • earthquakeA sudden shaking of the ground caused by rocks breaking and slipping along a fault, which releases energy as seismic waves.
  • seismic hazardThe likelihood that a given place will experience earthquake shaking of a certain strength within a certain period of time.
  • soilThe loose top layer of the land surface, made of weathered rock particles, organic matter, water and air, in which plants grow.
  • groundwaterWater held underground in the pores and cracks of soil, sediment and rock below the water table. It feeds wells and springs.

More terms: Earthquakes & Seismology

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