An earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale struck off the southeastern coast of Spain early this morning, prompting temporary alarm across parts of Almería, Murcia, and southern Valencia, though no injuries or major damage have been reported.
The Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN) confirmed the earthquake occurred at 07:13 CEST, with its epicentre approximately 51 kilometres east-southeast of Cabo de Palos, at a depth of 10 kilometres beneath the Mediterranean Sea. The tremor was strong enough to be felt in several coastal towns, including Cartagena, Mazarrón, and Vera, where residents reported light shaking and rattling furniture.
Emergency services received calls from concerned residents, but no structural damage has been identified and there were no injuries. Local authorities have urged the public to remain calm but alert, particularly given Spain’s relatively active seismic profile in this region.
A Reminder of Spain’s Seismic History
While Spain is not widely known for its earthquakes, the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula sits on a complex fault system between the African and Eurasian tectonic plates. Occasional moderate-to-strong quakes are not uncommon, especially in Murcia, Alicante, Almería, and along the Betic Cordillera.
This morning’s tremor comes just days after a series of smaller seismic events—many below magnitude 3—were recorded across Spain. Experts from IGN note that clusters of low-to-moderate activity often occur in this region and are typically harmless, but they reflect long-standing tectonic tensions.
One of the most significant earthquakes in Spanish history took place in this very area. On 21 March 1829, a powerful quake estimated at magnitude 6.6 struck near Torrevieja, devastating several towns in the Vega Baja region of Alicante. That disaster left over 400 dead and prompted major changes in building codes and urban planning in the area.
Today’s event, while far less severe, serves as a reminder of the region’s seismic vulnerability, particularly as urban development continues along the coast.
Authorities Monitoring for Aftershocks
Seismologists are continuing to monitor the situation for aftershocks. So far, a handful of minor tremors have followed the main quake, but none have exceeded magnitude 2.5. The Plan de Emergencia Sísmica remains on standard alert, with emergency coordination centres on standby should further action be needed.
No Comment! Be the first one.