Israeli seismologists simulated an earthquake measuring 3.0 on the Richter scale by setting off 80 tons of explosives in the middle of Israel's Negev Desert on Wednesday morning.

The explosion was used to test seismic and acoustic sensors in Israel and other Mediterranean nations as far away as France.

Earthquakes of that magnitude are not severe and occur in the region about once a week. Most are not felt by Israelis and the residents of surrounding nations. Israel does, however, sit on the volatile Syrian-Africa Rift, and experts believe a major earthquake will hit the region in the coming years.