A seismic source is an important term in the field of geology, referring to a phenomenon that causes seismic waves to be generated. There are several synonyms for this term that are used interchangeably in geology, including earthquake source, seismic trigger, tectonic source, and seismic fault. Each of these synonyms refers to the same concept, describing the physical mechanism that initiates seismic waves. Understanding the various synonyms for seismic source is helpful for geologists studying earthquakes, as it allows them to communicate more efficiently with their peers and accurately describe the phenomena they observe.