1.
epicenter; hypocenter; seismic center
The point of origin of an earthquake, either underground (hypocenter) or its projection on the surface (epicenter). A key term in earthquake-related news and information.
震源は海底だった。
The epicenter was under the sea.
震源の深さは約10キロだった。
The depth of the hypocenter was about 10 kilometers.
気象庁は震源が内陸の浅い場所であると発表した。
The Meteorological Agency announced that the hypocenter was at a shallow inland location.
2.
source; origin; root cause
Figuratively, the origin or source of trouble, conflict, or a problem.
彼が問題の震源だ。
He is the source of the problem.
その部署が社内トラブルの震源になっている。
That department is the epicenter of internal trouble.
経済危機の震源がどこにあるのか、専門家の間でも意見が分かれている。
Even among experts, opinions are divided on where the source of the economic crisis lies.
USAGE:
震源 combines 震 (quake, tremor) and 源 (source, origin). Strictly speaking, 震源 refers to the underground point (hypocenter), while 震源地 refers to the surface location (epicenter), though the terms are often used interchangeably in casual speech.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 震源の深さ (depth of the hypocenter)
- 震源地 (epicenter location)
- 震源に近い (close to the epicenter)
SIMILAR WORDS:
震源地 specifically refers to the surface point above the earthquake origin. 震源 is more general and is also the form used in figurative senses.