nonseismically

Nonseismically is an adverb formed from the prefix non- and the adjective seismical or seismic, meaning in a way that does not involve or originate from seismic activity. The term is most commonly encountered in technical contexts such as geology, geophysics, and earthquake engineering, where it is used to distinguish actions, measurements, or effects that occur without seismic waves or earthquake-related processes.

In practice, nonseismically describes methods, events, or responses that are not triggered by or associated with earthquakes. For example, researchers may collect data nonseismically using electromagnetic surveys rather than seismic instrumentation, or engineers may characterize ground motion nonseismically to isolate influences other than earthquakes. The word can also describe vibrations or movements that are not caused by seismic events, such as machinery-induced vibrations or wind-induced building sway, when these are considered outside the scope of seismic analysis.

Usage notes: nonseismically is relatively uncommon outside technical literature. It is often clearer to use phrasing such as “without seismic activity,” “not seismically triggered,” or “using nonseismic methods,” depending on the context. When writing about earthquake-related topics, it is important to distinguish between measurements, responses, and processes that are seismic versus nonseismic to avoid ambiguity.

See also: seismic, seismology, nonseismic, nonseismic design, base isolation.