Un Earthquake with epicenter in Fuengirola The tremor surprised thousands of residents of Andalusia early Friday morning. Initial reports placed the earthquake in... 4,2 degrees of magnitude, was subsequently reviewed by the National Geographic Institute (IGN) until the 4,8 and finally 4,9 on the Richter scale, becoming one of the most striking earthquakes of the last few months in Spain.
The seismic movement occurred around 10 pm (09:38 UTC) and took place at a depth of between 77 and 79 kilometers below the Earth's crustThis explains why it was clearly felt over a very wide area but, at the same time, caused no personal or material damage. Despite the scare, the authorities insist that No significant incidents have been reported beyond the large number of reports from citizens who noticed the tremor.
Magnitude, depth and evolution of earthquake data
According to the information gathered by the National Geographic InstituteThe earthquake was initially detected with a magnitude of 4,2which was adjusted shortly afterwards 4,8 And, after a detailed analysis of the records, he noticed 4,9 degreesThis type of review is common, since the initial data is provisional and is refined as signals from seismographs distributed across the peninsula are processed.
El The epicenter was located very close to the town center of Fuengirola, on the western Costa del Sol, barely a kilometer from the town according to some estimates, and with a hypocenter located about 77-79 kilometers deepThis intermediate depth causes the tremor to spread over long distances, so that It was felt in several Andalusian provinces and even in other areas of the southern peninsula.
IGN records indicate that it is the most intense earthquake in the last six months in the area encompassing Spain, Portugal, and northern Morocco, and the sixth most powerful of the year in that region. Despite this, the combination of magnitude and depth has contributed to the earthquake not having serious consequences for infrastructure or buildings.
In the preceding days the area had shown some moderate seismic activityAn earthquake had already been recorded on December 1st. magnitude 3,2 with its epicenter in Estepona, also in Malaga, which confirms that the area around the Alboran Fault It continues to be a seismically active area.
Where the earthquake was felt: affected provinces and towns
The tremor, although brief, was clearly felt in a large number of municipalities. Malaga has been the most affected province in terms of the sensation of the movement, but the earthquake has also been felt in Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Jaen, Badajoz and Cadiz, with varying intensities depending on the distance to the epicenter and the characteristics of the terrain.
In the province of MalagaThe warnings spread across virtually the entire Costa del Sol and much of the interior. Residents of the capital and towns such as Fuengirola, Benalmádena, Torremolinos, Marbella, Vélez-Málaga, Mijas, Rincón de la Victoria, Nerja, Torrox, Estepona, Ronda, Antequera or AlhaurÃn de la Torre They reported a short but sharp jolt, accompanied in some cases by a slight rattling of windows and furniture.
En CordobaThe tremor was felt both in the capital and in numerous towns throughout the province. The National Geographic Institute (IGN) and emergency services have recorded that the earthquake was felt in 22 municipalities in Cordoba, entre ellos Pozoblanco, Puente Genil, Nueva Carteya, Almodóvar del RÃo, Palma del RÃo, Fuente Palmera, Abejorreras, Alcolea and different neighborhoods of the city such as Medina Azahara, Doña Manuela or Camino CarbonellIn this area, the intensity has mainly been between the levels II and IIIThat is, a light tremor that does not cause damage.
Province Seville The movement has also been blamed. The 112 emergency system received calls from Seville city, Alcalá de GuadaÃra, Constantina, Alcalá del RÃo, Estepa, Cazalla de la Sierra, Peñaflor, Dos Hermanas, Mairena del Aljarafe, Castilblanco de los Arroyos and other municipalities in the metropolitan area and the Sierra Norte region. In almost all cases, residents describe a slight but perceptible vibration, especially on upper floors.
En Granada and Jaén The tremor was felt most strongly in coastal towns and areas near the Guadalquivir Valley. Reports have been received on the Granada coast in Motril, Almuñécar, Albuñol and neighborhoods like Cerrillo de Maracena in the city of Granada, while in Jaén there were also scattered sensations, without consequences. In total, the IGN data points to 86 locations in Malaga, 23 in Seville, 22 in Cordoba, 15 in Granada, 10 in Jaen, 7 in Badajoz and 2 in Cadiz where the earthquake has been felt, at least slightly.
Citizen testimonies and intensity levels
The recorded intensity levels have ranged between the degrees II and III of the European macroseismic scaleThey describe mild tremors, perceptible indoors and more noticeable in tall buildings, but without damage. In several towns in Malaga, the intensity has reached level [missing information]. IIIThis means that the earthquake is clearly felt in homes and offices, and can cause lamps, small objects, and doors to sway.
In towns like Benalmádena, Mijas, Torremolinos, Algarrobo, Rincón de la Victoria, Nerja or TorroxNumerous neighbors recounted a short vibration of between 2 and 5 secondsSome describe that "the leaves of the plants moved" or that they noticed "a loud rattling, similar to that of a train changing tracks," especially on upper floors and attics, where the effects are slightly amplified.
The list of intensities published by the IGN reflects that in areas such as Algarrobo, AlhaurÃn el Grande, Arroyo de la Miel-Benalmádena Costa, Calahonda-Chaparral (Mijas), Cerro del Toril (Torremolinos), Chilches, Ciudad Deportiva de Cártama, El Peñoncillo (Torrox) or Nerja The tremor was categorized as III (clearly understood)In many others, such as AlhaurÃn de la Torre, Antequera, Campanillas, CoÃn, Las Lagunas de Mijas, Torre del Mar or Torremolinosthe intensity was II-IIIThat is, slightly more moderate.
In the city of Córdoba and several of its neighborhoods, as well as in towns such as Medina Azahara, Doña Manuela, Abejorreras, Fuente Palmera or Rivero de PosadasThe earthquake is mostly classified within degree IIIt's a gentle tremor that many people notice when at rest, but it can go unnoticed by those who are moving. Even so, several residents have commented on social media that they clearly felt it while lying on the sofa or working from home.
Institutional response and activation of the pre-emergency phase
The impact of the earthquake, widely felt by the population, led the Andalusian Regional Government to activate the pre-emergency phase (operational situation 0) of the Seismic Risk Plan. The Minister of Health, Presidency and Emergencies, Antonio SanzHe publicly announced the measure, emphasizing that it was being adopted preventively and that No personal or material damage had been detected in the affected municipalities.
The pre-emergency phase is activated when an event occurs. seismic phenomenon strongly felt by the population which requires strengthening coordination between administrations and providing information to citizens, but without a declared state of emergency yet being declared. In this context, the Andalusian Government disseminated through its official channels a video with basic self-protection recommendations in case of an earthquake, reminding citizens how to act both during the tremor and in the minutes afterward.
In parallel, the Emergency Service 112 Andalusia received more than 40 calls coming from different provinces. In Malaga, calls were received from the capital, Vélez-Málaga, Benalmádena, Torremolinos, Marbella, AlhaurÃn de la Torre and FuengirolaIn Seville, from towns like Alcalá de GuadaÃra, Constantina, Seville (city) and other points in the surrounding area; and in Córdoba, from Puente Genil, Nueva Carteya and the capital, in addition to the communications recorded from the Guadalquivir Valley area.
El IGN, for its part, activated its macroseismic information collection protocolinviting the population to complete the online questionnaire detailing how the tremor was perceived in each location: whether people were awake or asleep, whether objects moved, whether they fell to the ground, or whether any associated noise was heard. This data, combined with instrumental measurements, allows for a more accurate understanding of the actual intensity of the earthquake at the surface.
A significant earthquake in the seismic context of the region
Experts point out that, although an earthquake of magnitude close to 5 It is not an everyday occurrence in Andalusia, Nor is it something exceptional.Sources from the IGN itself indicate that earthquakes of this magnitude occur "from time to time" in the area around the southern Iberian Peninsula and the Alboran Sea, one of the areas with the highest seismic activity in Spain due to the interaction between the African and Eurasian tectonic plates.
Specifically, the so-called Alboran Fault —a system of active faults under the Alboran Sea, where structures such as the Averroes and Carboneras faults stand out— is responsible for a large part of the tremors that periodically affect the province of Malaga and other areas of the Andalusian coast, according to the Interactive map of volcanoes and earthquakesThese fault systems have the capacity to generate major earthquakes and even tsunamis, although such episodes are much less frequent.
The Fuengirola earthquake thus joins a series of minor tremors recorded in recent weeks, including the 3,2 magnitude earthquake with epicenter in Estepona early on December 1st and other episodes such as New seismic swarm on Mount TeideDespite the understandable concern these events raise, experts emphasize that most of them It does not exceed intensity levels that could damage modern buildings. built in accordance with current anti-seismic regulations.
In the historical context, the IGN highlights the importance of the macroseismic information to understand the behavior of earthquakes. In fact, the questionnaire offered on their website today has its roots in forms established in the 18th century, when Ferdinand VI He ordered the collection of data after the devastating Lisbon earthquake of 1755, which caused tens of thousands of casualties across the Iberian Peninsula.
Basic recommendations in case of an earthquake
Although the earthquake in Fuengirola caused no damage, authorities are stressing the importance of to know some minimum guidelines for action in case of a similar earthquake or aftershocks. The IGN (National Geographic Institute) and civil protection services recommend having a small emergency kit at home. emergency kit with a first aid kit, dynamo flashlight, bottled water, non-perishable food, battery-powered radio, a whistle and, if possible, a household fire extinguisher.
It is also advised identify safe zones In homes, workplaces, and schools: spaces away from windows, glass doors, heavy furniture, or objects that could fall. It's useful to know how Turn off the water, gas, and electricity shut-off valves.as well as periodically checking the condition of plugs and wiring to reduce added risks in case of shocks.
Preventive measures include carrying out family drills and open conversation with children about what to do if they notice an earthquake: protect themselves under a sturdy table, cover their head and neck, move away from balconies and facades if they are already on the street and avoid using elevators during and just after the tremor.
Regarding communication, the authorities recommend having the following on hand: Emergency telephone numbers (112, Police, Fire Department and health services)as well as staying informed through official channels and reliable media outlets. In the event of an incident like the one in Fuengirola, the general advice is to remain calm, follow the instructions of Civil Protection, and Do not overload emergency lines with unnecessary calls.
What happened in Fuengirola paints a clear picture: a earthquake of magnitude close to 5, widely felt in Malaga, Seville, Cordoba and other Andalusian provinceswhich has caused a considerable stir but has not caused any damage Thanks in part to its depth and the preparedness of the emergency services. The episode serves as a reminder that Andalusia is part of a seismically active region and reinforces the importance of learn the self-protection guidelines and to maintain coordination between administrations and citizens in the face of any phenomenon of this type.
