microearthquake
Barely perceptible shaking
A microearthquake is a very small earthquake, typically measuring below 2.0 on the Richter scale—too faint to be felt by humans but detectable by sensitive seismographs.
Geologists study microearthquakes to monitor volcanic activity, map fault lines, and assess risks from fracking or mining operations.
Detects ground vibrations
- magnitudeSize or scale
- amplitudeMaximum oscillation displacement
- waveformGraphed oscillation pattern
- frequencyRate of recurrence
P-wave · S-wave · accelerometer · spectrogram · sensor · detection · monitoring · threshold
Imperfection or blame
- epicenterPoint above seismic origin
- hypocenterEarthquake's underground origin point
- tectonicsStudy of crustal deformation
- seismicityEarthquake frequency measure
foreshock · aftershock · subduction · rift · lithosphere · crust · rupture · stress
Rapid oscillating movement
- shakingRapid involuntary movement
- tremblingInvoluntary shaking motion
- oscillationRepeated back-and-forth movement
- joltAbrupt forceful shake
quiver · rumble · shudder · ripple · pulse · disturbance · movement · wave
Cannot be sensed
- minorScale with lowered third
- smallLimited in size
- negligibleToo small to consider
- subtleNot immediately obvious
slight · undetectable · unfelt · weak · subterranean · localized · shallow · deep
seismometer
Detects ground vibrations
frequency · P-wave · S-wave · accelerometer · spectrogram · sensor · detection · monitoring · threshold · signal
fault
Imperfection or blame
- epicenterPoint above seismic origin
- hypocenterEarthquake's underground origin point
- tectonicsStudy of crustal deformation
seismicity · foreshock · aftershock · subduction · rift · lithosphere · crust · rupture · stress · strain
vibration
Rapid oscillating movement
- shakingRapid involuntary movement
- tremblingInvoluntary shaking motion
- oscillationRepeated back-and-forth movement
jolt · quiver · rumble · shudder · ripple · pulse · disturbance · movement · wave · resonance
imperceptible
Cannot be sensed
- minorScale with lowered third
- smallLimited in size
- negligibleToo small to consider
subtle · slight · undetectable · unfelt · weak · subterranean · localized · shallow · deep · background