EARTHQUAKE FELT IN TORREVIEJA AND SURROUNDING AREAS

News

Contributor / 2012-02-05 08:09:32

Earthquake Felt in Torrevieja -.Intensity Map from the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre

An earthquake which lasted just a few seconds has been felt in Torrevieja. According to the National Geographic Institute the tremour measured 3.5 on the Richter scale and happened at 0543 local time.

The epicentre of the earthquake was located at sea in Cabo de Palos, around 20 km from Torrevieja and 12 kilometers deep. No damage has been recorded but local residents are reported to have been shaken as the earth moved whilst most of them lay asleep in their beds and were woken by shaking properties.

The ground also moved in surrounding areas including Pilar de la Horadada and San Pedro del Pinatar to the South, and Almoradi and Guardamar to the West and North of Torrevieja.

In the last 12 months there have been a number of other tremors in the area but none of them have caused any lasting damage. The largest earthquake in recent months was in March 2011. The tremor took place during the morning at around 1130 on 23rd and, therefore, didn't have such a large sensory impact on the local community.

In 1829, Torrevieja was destroyed by an earthquake which registered 6.6 on the Richter scale. The effect of the earthquake was felt in many of the villages of the Vega Baja and as a result almost 400 people died, more than 30 of those deaths occured in Torrevieja.

It is well documented that the area in and around Torrevieja is settled on fault lines: Benijuzar and Benijofar, Guardamar, and Torrevieja.

Tags: Earthquake

Comments

Lisa Torreblanca 12-02-2012 / 00:43

I was woken to a sound like a train passing through the bedroom and a violent shake. No damage , but a fright all the same.

Irene Callaghan 08-02-2012 / 13:10

Yes I felt it here in Cabo Roig it only lasted seconds, I waited for more but it was only the once

Sue 07-02-2012 / 19:42

Here On lo crispin the earthquake woke my husband and myself up. Windows and wardrobe doors ratteling bed shaking accompanied by a loud roar/rumble. Am not ashamed to say I was scared and my heart goes out to any one who suffers an earthquake that causes damage such as the recent ones in Alcoy and New Zealand.

bill 07-02-2012 / 07:37

woke me at around 05.45 saturday thought it was thunder at first, the whole villa shook thought the windows were going to shatter. we are in quesada near golf course.

Stuart Reid 06-02-2012 / 22:18

Yeah, woke me , house shook, thought I was dreaming, went outside and a few lights on houses were on, but unbelievably my neighbour, JOHN SMITH slept right through???? Must have been a large alcohol level in bloodstream......haha....

Jack Cartwright 05-02-2012 / 20:17

According to the seismicological centre thie epicentre was just south of Los Montesinos 38.02N 0.74W at 3.1 scale. We are in Quesada and it woke us from our slumber a short roar like a train passing under the villa and ornaments tinkling. No damage.

Paul 05-02-2012 / 19:58

It woke me from my sleep at about 5.45 shaking the sliding doors on my wardrobe, i thought something had fallen in the wardrobe.My wife said i must have been dreaming,I'm sorry i did'nt take a bet with her.

Jan 05-02-2012 / 18:09

yes we felt it in Playa Flamenca, sounded like a train rummbling into the station, all the glasses shook on the wine rack, you just pray that it will stop within seconds which thankfully it did.

Andi 05-02-2012 / 17:55

It was felt pretty hard in la marina on the urb. It was pretty strong. Everything shaked and rattled. If that was a 3.5 mag I'd hate to know what a 7.0 feels like.

wendy 05-02-2012 / 17:00

it woke me from my sleep my bed was shaking and a rumbling noise was heard...Torrevieja

Crv.VegaBaja 05-02-2012 / 15:49

If you felt the earthquake, please send the "IGN questionnaire"

(http://www.ign.es/ign/layoutIn/geofisicaCuesmaCuesmaTerremotos.do)

Thx!

Donnygal 05-02-2012 / 11:40

Yes we heard it on the Los Altos, Orihuela Costa, to me deep in sleep it sounded like a large lorry going by the outside of our house.

Craig 05-02-2012 / 11:12

I believe you are wrong with your location, it happened just south of Vistabella golf club, if you follow the co-ordinates from this earthquake site you will see: http://www.emsc-csem.org/Earthquake/earthquake.php?id=254060#summary

Anne 05-02-2012 / 10:12

Yes, I felt it here in Torre de la Horadada. There was a rumble & then the necklaces on my mirror rattled. Only lasted a few seconds, I thought I may have been dreaming........scary....