The earthquake with a force of 8.8 on the Richter scale in the far east of Russia was the fourth most serious quake ever measured last night. Although the epicenter was more than 7,500 kilometers from Drenthe, the vibrations were also observed in our province.
The KNMI has measured the quake at various seismic stations in our country. The meters also turned out last night in several places in Drenthe. “They are such sensitive instruments that they can perceive heavy earthquakes of the whole world,” says Seismologist Pauline Kruiver of the KNMI.
The meters in Drenthe spent in, among others, Hollandscheveld and Oude Willem. “With such a very large earthquake, the whole earth actually vibrates. So that earthquake wave goes around the earth,” explains Kruiver. “That is why you can still see such a quake on your instrument at a great distance. At least if your equipment is good enough.”
The epicenter was at the Russian Peninsula Kamchatka, a region where there are more often earthquakes. In 1952 there was a quake with a force of 9.0. “You have a number of earth plates there and one slides under the other. That causes a lot of friction of course,” said Kruiver. “And that is released with earthquakes.”
The quake of tonight led to warnings and advice about tsunamis in Asia, Oceania, North America and South America. Part of it has since been withdrawn or scaled up. In some places, waves up to 3 meters high and evacuations were ordered into account.
Given the power of the quake, the damage seems to be relatively easy. Kruiver: “The area where it all took place is sparsely populated. And this quake did not come completely unexpected. There were already several, although they were less heavy.”