seismic shift

English

Etymology

An allusion to the drastic change to the landscape caused by a massive earthquake.

Pronunciation

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Noun

seismic shift (plural seismic shifts)

1. (idiomatic) A fundamental reorientation of a state of affairs.
   • 1958, Waldo Frank, "Mexico" in The Romance of North America (Hardwick Moseley, ed.), Houghton Mifflin, p. 127 (Google snippet view):

     The seismic shift in Mexico began in 1810 with the movement toward independence from Spain.

   • 1999 December 6, Eamon Phoenix, “Peace Is Breaking Out”, in Time, retrieved 19 May 2015:

     For the republican movement, the acceptance of seats in a "partitionist" Assembly signaled a seismic shift in historical attitudes since the division of Ireland in 1921.

   • 2007 December 10, “Most Important of 2007”, in Businessweek, retrieved 19 May 2015:

     [T]he U.S. could be on the verge of a seismic shift, where it is possible to envision a time when it will no longer be the dominant economic superpower.

   • 2011 February 5, “The Aging of America”, in New York Times, retrieved 19 May 2015:

     Baby boomers began turning 65 in January, heralding a seismic shift in demographics worldwide.

Usage notes

• Often used in social, political, or economic contexts.

Synonyms

• upheaval