microquake
Minor seismic event
A microquake is a minor earthquake, typically too small to be felt by humans but detectable by sensitive seismological instruments.
Microquakes occur constantly around the world and are studied to understand fault behavior and subsurface geology: The fracking operation triggered a series of microquakes.
Earthquake measuring device
- seismometerDetects ground vibrations
- seismologyStudy of ground tremors
- magnitudeSize or scale
- epicenterPoint above seismic origin
hypocenter · aftershock · foreshock · P-wave · S-wave · shockwave · vibration · seismicity
Imperfection or blame
- tectonicsStudy of crustal deformation
- subductionPlate descending beneath another
- crustHard outer layer
- lithosphereCrust plus upper mantle
mantle · rift · fissure · stress · strain · plate boundary · fracture · geophysics
Rapid oscillating movement
- shudderConvulsive trembling from fear
- rumbleLow rolling sound
- joltAbrupt forceful shake
- rippleMinor surface disturbance
oscillation · shake · pulse · shockwave · displacement
Extremely small in size
- imperceptibleCannot be sensed
- subtleNot immediately obvious
- slightMinor or thin
- negligibleToo small to consider
minor · small-scale · undetectable · unfelt · subcritical · background · localized · shallow
seismograph
Earthquake measuring device
- seismometerDetects ground vibrations
- seismologyStudy of ground tremors
- magnitudeSize or scale
epicenter · hypocenter · aftershock · foreshock · P-wave · S-wave · shockwave · vibration · seismicity · detection
fault
Imperfection or blame
- tectonicsStudy of crustal deformation
- subductionPlate descending beneath another
- crustHard outer layer
lithosphere · mantle · rift · fissure · stress · strain · plate boundary · fracture · geophysics · geodesy
vibration
Rapid oscillating movement
ripple · oscillation · shake · pulse · shockwave · displacement
minuscule
Extremely small in size
- imperceptibleCannot be sensed
- subtleNot immediately obvious
- slightMinor or thin
negligible · minor · small-scale · undetectable · unfelt · subcritical · background · localized · shallow