Magnitude 5 earthquake shakes the province of Granada and triggers alerts in Andalusia
A strong 5.0-magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale shook the town of Alhendín, in Granada, early this Saturday morning, causing moments of tension and material damage in various areas of the province. The National Geographic Institute (IGN) adjusted the magnitude of the seismic event after an initial assessment, placing the epicenter at a depth of 2 kilometers at 1:04 a.m.
The 112 emergency service of Andalusia reported intense citizen activity, receiving more than 80 alert calls from almost all Andalusian provinces, with the exception of Huelva and Cádiz. The magnitude of the earthquake was sufficient to generate widespread concern among the population.
Structural damage and scope of impact
Although no serious casualties have been reported, the earthquake left visible consequences on the infrastructure of the Granada metropolitan area. Among the most notable incidents are:
- Detachment in various structures.
- Falling of ornamental elements from facades and damage to roofs.
- Material damage in municipalities such as Armilla.
Citizen reporting has been fundamental in mapping the scope of the earthquake, with neighbors describing everything from the movement of furniture to the constant vibration of doors and windows throughout much of the Granada province.
The scope of the phenomenon was remarkable, extending beyond Granada. It was felt strongly in towns in the north of the province such as Huéscar, as well as in the coastal area covering Almuñécar, Salobreña, and Motril. Likewise, inhabitants of neighboring provinces such as Jaén, Almería, Málaga, and Córdoba reported having perceived the seismic movement.
Constant seismic activity in the region
The situation in the Granada metropolitan area has remained under surveillance, as the main event was quickly followed by a 2.6 magnitude aftershock with its epicenter in Gójar, just six minutes later. These movements are in addition to three other lower-intensity earthquakes recorded last Friday in the same area, which keeps authorities and the population in a state of preventive alert due to the recent seismic activity in the region.
