An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

An astrophysical phenomenon that occurs when the → crust of a → neutron star undergoes a sudden adjustment, analogous to an → earthquake on Earth. Starquakes are thought to be caused by huge → stresses exerted on the surface of the neutron star produced by twists in the ultra-strong interior → magnetic fields. They are thought to be the source of the intense → gamma-ray bursts that come from → soft gamma repeaters.

See also: → star; → quake.