Subsurface: meaning, definitions and examples
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subsurface
[ ˈsʌbsɜːfɪs ]
geology
The area below the surface of the ground; the underground layer or layers of soil or rock.
Synonyms
below ground, subterranean, underground
Examples of usage
- Oil and gas are extracted from the subsurface for energy production.
- Geologists study the subsurface to understand the composition of the earth's crust.
engineering
Located or occurring below the surface, especially in reference to construction or exploration activities.
Synonyms
below ground, underground, underneath
Examples of usage
- Subsurface water flow can impact the stability of the foundation.
- The subsurface conditions were carefully analyzed before starting the construction project.
Translations
Translations of the word "subsurface" in other languages:
🇵🇹 subsuperfície
🇮🇳 उपसतही
🇩🇪 unter der Oberfläche
🇮🇩 bawah permukaan
🇺🇦 підповерхневий
🇵🇱 podpowierzchniowy
🇯🇵 地下の
🇫🇷 sous la surface
🇪🇸 subsuperficial
🇹🇷 yüzey altı
🇰🇷 지하의
🇸🇦 تحت السطح
🇨🇿 podpovrchový
🇸🇰 podpovrchový
🇨🇳 地下的
🇸🇮 podpovršinski
🇮🇸 undir yfirborði
🇰🇿 бетінің асты
🇬🇪 ქვედა ზედაპირის
🇦🇿 səthaltı
🇲🇽 subsuperficial
Word origin
The word 'subsurface' originated from the combination of 'sub-' meaning below or under, and 'surface' referring to the outermost layer of something. It first appeared in the mid-19th century in the context of geology and engineering to describe areas or conditions below the visible surface. Over time, the term has been widely used in various scientific and technical fields to denote the underground or lower layers of soil, rock, or other materials.
See also: resurface, surface, surfaces, undersurface.