The people of Granada have been feeling the earth move under their feet for several days. Since this Saturday, "more than 420 earthquakes have been recorded in the province of Granada", most with a magnitude of less than 1.5 and barely perceptible by the population, explained Carlos González, seismologist at the National Geographic Institute (IGN) to 20 minutes. Specifically, in the report published by the IGN, 136 earthquakes are recorded with a magnitude equal to or greater than 1.5 or that have been perceived by citizens since August 15 at 00:03 hours. This 'chain' of earthquakes reached its peak this Tuesday, with an earthquake of 4.8 in Gójar, which reached an intensity of V-VI and another of 4.2 north of Alhendín. Added to them is a 4.0 tremor east of Ogíjares and another 3.9 in Churriana de la Vega.
During this day, a particularly intense seismic sequence was recorded in the province between 8:37 a.m. —when the earthquake occurred with its epicenter in Gójar— and 10:40 a.m. —when the earthquake occurred with its epicenter in Ogíjares—, leaving 23 earthquakes in just over two hours. The expert has pointed out that the earthquakes "will continue to occur in the coming days" although he has specified that it is "impossible to predict their magnitude or the area in which they will occur."
"The logical thing is that the tremors will last for several days, although they could last longer; we do not know how long they will end," said the seismologist. The expert has contrasted this pattern with the 2021 episode, where the tremors "occurred for quite some time." "The main ones were registered in January or February but more were registered in the summer, that is, no one can predict when this sequence will end," González clarified.
Due to this situation, the Granada City Council has moved from the pre-emergency phase to the emergency phase operational situation 1, a change that allows more media to be activated and improve the information that is transferred to the population in a day that leaves, for the moment, 500 calls to 112.
The seismic activity has resulted in three people being slightly injured, including a minor who has been taken to a hospital, as detailed by the Emergency Minister, Antonio Sanz. In addition, a dozen medical visits have been made, mostly due to anxiety attacks, nervousness and some falls.
Why is Granada shaking?
The explanation for why Granada is shaking lies in the geological configuration of the area. The province is located in the Betic mountain range, a region where numerous moving fault systems converge. Due to this, the Earth's crust accumulates tensions until the ground can no longer support said pressure and a movement occurs that releases energy in the form of seismic waves.
"Faults accumulate efforts and tensions, when the earth can't take any more and concentrates a lot of pressure, it moves, it is as if something were being pushed until suddenly one day it gives way. This movement releases energy in the form of seismic waves that shake the earth," the seismologist specified.
What should be done in case of an earthquake?
In the event of an earthquake, there are a series of guidelines that citizens must follow to remain as safe as possible. According to the recommendations issued by the IGN, if the person is inside their home they should stay away from furniture, windows or lamps and try to protect their head, for example by hiding under a table. "If you are at home, it is best for the person to stay indoors and try to protect themselves," the expert explained.
For citizens who are on the street when an earthquake occurs, "they must move away from buildings, walls and electrical poles, they must look for open spaces such as a park," the seismologist clarified, to avoid falling objects and deaths due to blows or crushes.
If the person is behind the wheel, the safest thing to do is to stop the vehicle, turn on the emergency lights and stay inside. Of course, you should not use elevators, enter damaged buildings, light fires and, as far as possible after the earthquake has passed, turn off the water, electricity and gas taps.
