jälkiehkäisynä

jälkiehkäisynä is a Finnish term derived from the noun jälkiehkäisy, meaning aftershock in the context of seismology. It refers to a secondary seismic event that follows a main earthquake, often occurring minutes to days later. Aftershocks typically decrease in magnitude and frequency over time according to the Omori law. The term is used by geophysicists, emergency planners and the general public to describe the series of smaller tremors that can follow a major seismic event.

In seismological literature the word jälkiehkäisy is standard and appears in Finnish scientific journals, textbooks and government reports. When followed by the suffix –nä, the word can function adverbially as jälkiehkäisynä, i.e. “as an aftershock” or “in the manner of an aftershock”. This construction is found occasionally in Finnish news articles and commentary, especially when describing a secondary event or effect that mirrors the primary one in scale or impact.

The concept is important for risk assessment and civil protection. Accurate aftershock forecasting helps authorities issue evacuation orders, inspect infrastructure and plan emergency resources. Notable seismic sequences recorded in Finland, such as the 1944 Tampere earthquake, included significant aftershocks that resembled the main shock and are often cited in local seismological studies.

Overall, jälkiehkäisynä is a specialized lexical item used to describe the sequela of a main earthquake in both scientific and informal contexts.