News item | 18-11-2025 | 10:06
An earthquake occurred in Zeerijp in Groningen during the night of Thursday 13 to Friday 14 November. The KNMI determined the magnitude of the earthquake at 3.4 on the Richter scale. An aftershock with a magnitude of 2.1 occurred at 6:39 am.
Despite the stoppage of gas extraction in the Groningen field, earthquakes unfortunately still occur. This creates a feeling of insecurity and fear and raises questions and concerns. This article answers a number of possible questions.
I have damage to my house due to the recent earthquake in Zeerijp, where can I report this?
You can report your damage on the website from the Mining Damage Institute Groningen. Would you like to speak to an employee? Then call 0800 4444 111 for free or visit one of the support points. Do you feel unsafe in your home or another building due to damage caused by the earthquake? Then report one acutely unsafe situation (AOS).
Gas extraction has stopped, why are earthquakes still happening?
The Groningen gas field was permanently closed in April last year. Earthquakes still occur. This is due to the tension that has built up over decades of gas extraction. This is occasionally discharged by an earthquake. Earthquakes occur along existing fractures in the gas field at a depth of 3 kilometers. Although the number of earthquakes has decreased in recent years, as have the more serious earthquakes, these earthquakes remain possible.
For more information about earthquakes caused by gas extraction and answers to questions, visit KNMI – Earthquakes due to gas extraction.
What is being done for the homes of residents in the earthquake area?
Residents in the earthquake area must be able to live, work and live safely. National Coordinator Groningen works on researching and strengthening buildings. If a building suffers damage as a result of gas extraction, this damage can be reported to the Mining Damage Institute Groningen. The IMG’s task is to handle the damage. The reinforcement and damage repair is done at all costs and for as long as necessary.
Why does strengthening houses in the earthquake zone take so much time?
The safety of residents comes first. The reinforcement task therefore has the highest priority.
NCG’s reinforcement program includes more than 27,000 homes and other buildings in the earthquake area. The reinforcement is a complex and time-consuming operation that involves a lot of input from, for example, Nij Begun – the government’s response to the parliamentary inquiry. To carry out this operation properly and carefully, many different parties collaborate. Strengthening buildings is tailor-made, every home and situation is unique. That takes time and requires the right balance between speed and quality. In addition, the reinforcement is combined with sustainability to prepare homes for the future.
Am I safe if my house is fortified?
Fortified homes and homes that meet safety standards are strong enough. Residents can leave their homes safely and on time during a (major) earthquake. The earthquake near Zeerijp on November 13 once again emphasizes the importance of the reinforcement task. The reinforcement of more than 9,000 homes has not yet been completed. This will continue unabated.