subterrestrial
Beneath the surface
Subterrestrial means beneath the earth's surface.
The term appears in scientific and science fiction contexts describing underground environments, organisms, or phenomena: subterrestrial caves, subterrestrial life forms.
It's the counterpart to extraterrestrial, which looks outward to space, while subterrestrial looks inward and downward.
Realm of the departed
- HadesGreek afterlife realm
- TartarusDeepest realm of punishment
- chthonicOf underworld spirits
- PlutoKuiper Belt dwarf world
Persephone · Cerberus · Styx · Erebus · Sheol · netherworld · infernal · abyssal
Underground cemetery passages
- tunnelsUnderground hollow pathways
- cavernsLarge underground hollows
- bunkersFortified underground chambers
- basementsFloors below ground level
subways · mines · sewers · crypts · dungeons · grotto · labyrinth · underpass
Solid stone underground
- strataParallel geological layers
- lithosphereCrust plus upper mantle
- aquiferGroundwater-bearing geological formation
- mineralsInorganic natural solids
ore · sediment · clay · permafrost · fossils · magma · mantle · crust
Exploring caves recreationally
- speleologyScientific study of caves
- excavationAct of unearthing
- boringFailing to engage interest
- drillingHole-making by rotation
archaeology · mining · tunneling · caving · potholing · surveying · descent · prospecting
underworld
Realm of the departed
Pluto · Persephone · Cerberus · Styx · Erebus · Sheol · netherworld · infernal · abyssal
catacombs
Underground cemetery passages
- tunnelsUnderground hollow pathways
- cavernsLarge underground hollows
- bunkersFortified underground chambers
basements · subways · mines · sewers · crypts · dungeons · grotto · labyrinth · underpass · vaults
bedrock
Solid stone underground
- strataParallel geological layers
- lithosphereCrust plus upper mantle
- aquiferGroundwater-bearing geological formation
minerals · ore · sediment · clay · permafrost · fossils · magma · mantle · crust · tectonics
spelunking
Exploring caves recreationally
- speleologyScientific study of caves
- excavationAct of unearthing
- boringFailing to engage interest
drilling · archaeology · mining · tunneling · caving · potholing · surveying · descent · prospecting
tomb
Underground chamber for remains
- cryptSubterranean burial vault
- mausoleumMonumental building for interment
- sepulcherChamber for the dead
necropolis · sarcophagus · catacomb · ossuary · barrow · tumulus · interment · grave · vault · dolmen
troglodytes
Underground or cave inhabitants
orc · gnome · kobold · gremlin · earthworm · burrowing · cicada · ant · termite
subterrestrialaerial
Elevated, or signal-catcher
aboveground · elevated · overhead · skyward · aloft
subterrestrialcelestial
Of the sky above
atmospheric · aerial · extraterrestrial · heavenly · surface
territory, terrain, terrestrial, subterranean, terra, Mediterranean, terrarium, extraterrestrial