What term describes the release of energy in the form of seismic waves?

The release of energy in the form of seismic waves is best described by the term "earthquake." When stress builds up in the Earth's crust due to tectonic forces, it can eventually lead to a sudden release of that energy. This energy is released in the form of seismic waves, which propagate through the Earth and are detected by instruments like seismographs. The point of energy release is known as the focus or hypocenter, while the point directly above it on the surface is the epicenter. Other terms such as tornado and eruption relate to different natural phenomena and do not involve the release of energy in seismic waves. While "seismic event" is a more general term that can encompass earthquakes, it does not specifically refer to the phenomenon of energy release as definitively as "earthquake" does. Thus, the most precise and appropriate term for this process is indeed "earthquake."