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It was about 7am when the windows began to rattle in their frames and the crockery in the kitchen clinked. Those who were awake already were alarmed by the sickening rocking sensation, and many who were still asleep were roused from their slumber.

 

This was how parts of southern Spain like Almería, Murcia and Granada experienced the large earthquake that occurred in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, just off the eastern coast of the province of Almería (Andalucía) this Monday morning, July 14.

 

Measuring a serious 5.4 on the Richter scale, according to Spain’s National Geographic Institute (IGN), the quake happened at 7.13am at a depth of 3 kilometres below ground.

 

The Mediterranean area around the coast of Spain, Morocco, Algeria and Italy is on a fault line, so minor earthquakes are a frequent occurrence. However, most of the time they measure less than 2 degrees of magnitude on the Richter scale and do not cause any damage, much less make themselves felt at all.

 

In fact, geologists at the IGN point out that frequent, low-level tremors are a good way for the earth to release pent-up energy in the ground in order to avoid larger, more destructive quakes.

 

However, larger quakes can and do still occur, such as this one in the Med, which was reportedly felt as far away as Portugal. Large earthquakes are also not unheard of in Spain, such as the extremely destructive 5.1-magnitude quake that hit Lorca in 2011.

 

After an earthquake, it is possible to feel aftershocks and tremors, which on the coast can cause sudden swells and tsunami-like conditions. It is advised to take precaution, to stay away from the coast or any large structures or furniture that could possibly fall over.

 

After this earthquake, as many as 22 smaller tremors measuring between 1.6 and 3.4 on the Richter scale have been registered in the same area between 7.19am and 11.07am, all with their epicentre much deeper underground, at 1-21km under the surface of the Earth.

 

In case of emergency, the number to call in Spain is 112. As a result of the quake, part of the roof of Almería airport caved in, but for now emergency responders have not received any reports of physical injury to anyone.

 

Image: IGN