The second tremor above magnitude 1.5 in just four days. Credit: menur / Shutterstock.com
The Mediterranean waters lapping the shores of the Costa Blanca have seen a surprising spike in seismic activity – though locals remain blissfully unaware, as none of the tremors have been strong enough to be felt.
On Sunday October 5, a quake measuring 2.5 on the Richter scale was recorded at 8.25pm, marking the second tremor above magnitude 1.5 in just four days, according to data from Spain’s National Geographic Institute (IGN).
Pinpointing the exact location of the quake hasn’t been straightforward. Unlike previous occasions, the IGN did not identify a specific coastal municipality, simply noting that the tremor occurred in the “Mediterráneo-Levante Sur” area. However, based on the institute’s map, the epicentre appears to have been off the coasts of Benitachell and Teulada Moraira, at a depth of 17 kilometres.
Destructive quakes occurred decades ago
Just a few days earlier, on October 1, a smaller quake was detected off the coast of Els Poblets. That one, measuring 1.8 on the Richter scale, was even weaker – and unusually shallow, recorded at zero kilometres below the sea surface.
Despite the recent uptick, experts say these minor quakes are normal for the region and pose no risk to residents or visitors.