microearthquake

[ mahy-kroh-urth-kweyk ]

noun

1. an earthquake of very low intensity (magnitude of 2 or less on the Richter scale).

Word History and Origins

Origin of microearthquake¹

First recorded in 1965–70; micro- + earthquake

Example Sentences

Another possible explanation emerged Thursday, when officials said that seismic monitors had noted a microearthquake — a magnitude of 1.5, and very rare for the region — just after midnight on Tuesday that may have been responsible for some of the sounds.

From New York Times