Why does Central Virginia get earthquakes?

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- There have been two earthquakes recorded across the Central Virginia area in the past week, which might prompt some residents to ask -- why does this happen?

Calls and emails came pouring in on Tuesday, May 6, at around 1 p.m., with several residents across the Central Virginia region alerting the 8News team to a 3.0 magnitude earthquake that originated near the town of Dillwyn in Buckingham County.

This came just days after a 1.6 magnitude earthquake was reported near the border of Goochland County and Henrico County on Wednesday, May 1. In the case of both earthquakes, the aftershock was felt in surrounding counties -- some that are several miles away.

While the state of Virginia does sit on geologic faults, according to the Virginia Department of Energy, most of them are inactive. As a result, the majority of earthquakes that happen in Virginia are due to three seismic zones across the state.

One of these seismic zones is known as the Central Virginia Seismic Zone (CVSZ), which includes the City of Richmond and Charlottesville, according to the department.

Although there is still more to learn about seismic activity across Central Virginia and the state as a whole, the department is currently working to develop more detailed fault mapping. This scientific data can help identify which areas of the state will be damaged most and aid in reducing earthquake hazards.

To learn more about earthquakes in Virginia and how the department measures them, click here.

If you think you've felt an earthquake, be sure to let the U.S. Geological Survey know through this interactive map.