noun
- very small earthquakes with magnitudes typically below 2.0 that are usually not felt by people but can be detected by sensitive seismographic instruments
Usage: geological; scientific
Examples
- Scientists use sensitive equipment to monitor microearthquakes near the fault line.
- The research station recorded dozens of microearthquakes each day.
- Microearthquakes often occur before larger seismic events.
- The mining operation triggered several microearthquakes in the surrounding area.
- Geologists study patterns of microearthquakes to predict volcanic activity.
- Most microearthquakes go completely unnoticed by the general public.