hypocenter
noun
hy·po·cen·ter
ˈhī-pə-ˌsen-tər 
1
: the focus of an earthquake compare epicenter sense 1
2
: the point on the earth's surface directly below the center of a nuclear bomb explosion
Examples of hypocenter in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The hypocenter – the specific spot beneath the earth’s surface where an earthquake originates, also known as the focus – was at a depth of 4.7 kilometers (2.9 miles), according to the USGS.
—
Joedy McCreary, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
Each station captures data about how much the earth moves and vibrates during a temblor and how much energy moves out from the hypocenter, or the site of an earthquake under the planet's surface.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2024
The point in the Earth where the energy is first released is called the hypocenter, said Nate Onderdonk, professor of geological sciences at Cal State Long Beach.
—Madalyn Amato, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2021
An epicenter, then, is the point at the Earth’s surface above the hypocenter.
—Madalyn Amato, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2021
Rather, the slip between rocks begins at one spot on the face of the fault—the hypocenter—and travels along it, like a zipper being unzipped.
—Paul Voosen, Science | AAAS, 23 Sep. 2020
Only eight of those 20 had the other constraints Kearse and Kaneko needed to test their model, like the earthquake’s hypocenter.
—Paul Voosen, Science | AAAS, 23 Sep. 2020
The Sanno Shinto Shrine, located about half a mile from the hypocenter, was reduced to ash by the bomb.
—Amy Briggs, National Geographic, 5 Aug. 2020
Those directly under the bomb’s detonation point, or hypocenter, were incinerated, instantaneously erased from existence.
—Hiroki Kobayashi, National Geographic, 5 Aug. 2020
Joedy McCreary, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
Each station captures data about how much the earth moves and vibrates during a temblor and how much energy moves out from the hypocenter, or the site of an earthquake under the planet's surface.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2024
The point in the Earth where the energy is first released is called the hypocenter, said Nate Onderdonk, professor of geological sciences at Cal State Long Beach.
—Madalyn Amato, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2021
An epicenter, then, is the point at the Earth’s surface above the hypocenter.
—Madalyn Amato, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2021
Rather, the slip between rocks begins at one spot on the face of the fault—the hypocenter—and travels along it, like a zipper being unzipped.
—Paul Voosen, Science | AAAS, 23 Sep. 2020
Only eight of those 20 had the other constraints Kearse and Kaneko needed to test their model, like the earthquake’s hypocenter.
—Paul Voosen, Science | AAAS, 23 Sep. 2020
The Sanno Shinto Shrine, located about half a mile from the hypocenter, was reduced to ash by the bomb.
—Amy Briggs, National Geographic, 5 Aug. 2020
Those directly under the bomb’s detonation point, or hypocenter, were incinerated, instantaneously erased from existence.
—Hiroki Kobayashi, National Geographic, 5 Aug. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hypocenter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1905, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near hypocenter
Cite this Entry
“Hypocenter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypocenter. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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