An automatic notification from the KNMI initially spoke of an earthquake at Zeerijp, but after assessment by a seismologist, the precise location of the epicenter has been adjusted, a spokeswoman explains. Loppersum and Zeerijp are about two kilometers apart as the crow flies.
It is not yet known whether damage has occurred in the quake area. Several people reported on Twitter that they felt the earthquake. “A major earthquake, a hard thump or bang and the whole house vibrates,” describes the Groningen security region. The Ministry of Economic Affairs calls on people who have suffered damage to report to the Groningen Mining Damage Institute (IMG).
Text continues below the tweets.
On March 6, a quake was reported at Zeerijp, which had a magnitude of 2.1. In October and November last year there were also several earthquakes in the province of Groningen, several of which in the same place. They are caused by gas extraction in the region.
According to the IMG, the Groningen ‘gas quakes’ take place relatively close to the surface and the vibrations are therefore more intense. In addition, clay or peat layers in the soil can amplify the vibrations and this can subsequently cause additional damage locally. The IMG states on Twitter that the earthquake in Loppersum follows a “relatively quiet month.”