An investigation into the earthquake that hit the southeastern city of Pohang in 2017 finds that it was triggered by a geothermal power plant.br A team of researchers from around the world led by the Geological Society of Korea conducted a year-long investigation to find the cause of Korea's second largest earthquake on record. The investigation concluded that there have been 5 stimuli from excavations at a geothermal power plant since 2015 which eventually triggered the earthquake. Local citizens are likely to file a lawsuit against the government asking for compensation.