Even for the seismic networks with higher density, the lower limit of the monitorable seismic magnitude (M) with a relatively reliable number of events as the seismic precursor to destructive earthquakes is about 1. Thus, people counted only about 10% with seismic precursor, of the total number of destructive earthquakes. This statistic is incomplete and likely due to insufficient data observation and processing capabilities. Based on the relationship between M and corresponding frequency, or number of happened events, as well as rock mechanics experiments and fatigue damage inspection in engineering, the M of the events as the precursor to the destructive earthquakes should reach the microseismic range, i.e., M≤0, dozens or even thousands of times smaller than M≈1 in seismically released energy. Vector stacking (VS), based on the essence or first principle of microseismic monitoring, has been basically perfected in the energy field. On the other hand, after more than a century of research and development, the natural seismology has established a solid foundation for the performance of seismic instruments and the construction of seismic networks. At least in the areas prone to destructive earthquakes, many networks have higher density and huge continuous records suitable for microseismic monitoring. These have laid the foundation for real-time monitoring of small-micro earthquakes as seismic precursor, analyzing small-micro seismicity, and thus achieving breakthrough progress in destructive earthquake forecasting.
Keywords: Earthquake, Seismic-precursor, Forecast, Microseismic.
Citation: Liang, B. (2026). Expanding Lower Monitoring Limits for Seismic Precursor of Destructive Earthquakes to Microseismics. Adv Earth & Env Sci; 7(4):1-9.