aftershock

plural aftershocks

1. countableuncountablegeographyAn earthquake that follows in the same vicinity as another, usually larger, earthquake (the "mainshock").

   It was not a peace that brought joy – it was one that created an oppressive tension like the calm between a major earthquake and the aftershock.

   2011, Raymond Gordon, The Ecclesiastical Chronicles, Volume Two: The Society, →ISBN, page 278

   1 more example

   As aftershocks of 3.0 magnitude or higher continued to rock the area, rescuers transported over 50,000 people from the hardest-hit Luding county, according to local media

   2022 September 6, “China earthquake death toll jumps to 65 as aftershocks rattle Sichuan”, in EFE, archived from the original on 06 Sep 2022

   Synonyms: afterquake

2. countablefigurativelyuncountableBy extension, any result or consequence following a major event.

   The collapse of the financial market sixty days later was the aftershock.

   2011, Jeremy Rifkin, The Third Industrial Revolution, →ISBN

   3 more examples

   Set in the 1950s, Badlands looks back to that period of malaise in American culture which was defined by the aftershock of world war, the fears engendered by the Cold War, and the questioning of both cultural and individual identity.

   2012, Hannah Patterson, The Cinema of Terrence Malick, →ISBN, page 26

   On the other hand, in a global economy, many governments are seeking to limit their social costs in order to attract global corporations to invest in their countries, while also grappling with the aftershock of the banking crisis which has seen state financial support to the banking sector amount to L850 billion of guarantees and loans (National Audit Office, 2011).

   2014, Lester Parrott, Social work and poverty, →ISBN, page 35

   The Republican president is making a major political bet that his actions will not worsen inflation, cause financial aftershocks that could destabilize the worldwide economy or provoke a voter backlash.

   2025 February 1, Josh Boak, “Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China could mean higher inflation and economic disruption”, in Associated Press

3. countableuncountableEmotional and physical distress following a traumatic event.

   Aftershock is my own term for post-traumatic reactions experienced by activists.

   2007, Pattrice Jones, Aftershock: Confronting Trauma in a Violent World, →ISBN

   3 more examples

   Far from being an emotional aftershock following an event that upsets our whole world, horror is what first discloses to us the upsetting possibility that our world as a whole can cease to be.

   1992, Jerome A. Miller, In the Throe of Wonder, →ISBN, page 129

   "I meant, how are you doing with the aftershock?" "Aftershock? I keep thinking there must have been something I could have done."

   2013, Anne Hillerman, Spider Woman's Daughter, →ISBN, page 221

   He wavered on his feet from adrenaline aftershock, blood loss, and from the fact that he was ruined.

   2013, Kris Schnee, Everyone's Island, →ISBN, page 119