Residents stunned as small earthquake is registered in Spain’s Mallorca

A SMALL earthquake registering a magnitude of 2.1 has rocked Spain’s Mallorca this morning (February 4).

As reported but the National Geographic Institute, the Pla and Llevant region felt the tremor at approximately 3am, which occurred 9 kilometres deep between the municipalities of Vilafranca del Bonany and Petra.

Although the earthquake has been one of low intensity (on a scale of one to ten this would be classed at level two) it has had been felt in neighbouring towns such as Sant Joan, with the tremor waking up residents who were at the time in bed. It is also understood that no material damage has been reported.

According to experts, there are several factors to determine if an earthquake will pose a danger to the population, taking into account the intensity, the geological conditions of the land, the energy released and the point of depth at which the epicentre is located.

In general, seismic movements of less than two degrees are only recorded by the measuring devices; up to 4 degrees do not usually cause damage, and between five and six serious damage can result in damage to structures. Movements recorded beyond these levels are generally conceived as major earthquakes and pose serious danger to civilians.