Microearthquake

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A microearthquake (or microquake) is a very low intensity earthquake which is usually three or less on the Richter scale. Microearthquakes are at times caused by large masses stomping their feet, the first such recorded instance being the Earthquake Game in 1988. Thay may also be seen as a result of underground nuclear testing or even large detonations of conventional explosives for procucing excavations. They do not usually hurt anyone or damage property.

Microquakes occur often near volcanos as they approach an eruption, and frequently in certain regions exploited for geothermal energy, especially in a location in Northern California near Geyserville. These occur so continuously that the current USGS event map for this location will almost certainly show a substantial number of small earthquakes at that location (in the upper left corner of the map).