Groningen Quake: A Reminder of the Region's Seismic Legacy

A 3.4 magnitude earthquake struck Groningen in the Netherlands, highlighting the region’s seismic history due to past gas production. Though gas extraction has been stopped to reduce tremors, experts believe seismic activity may persist for decades. No injuries were reported from this latest quake.

A 3.4 magnitude earthquake rattled the Groningen region in the Netherlands early Friday, according to the Dutch meteorology institute, KNMI. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported as a result of the tremor.

The quake is noted as the most intense in years for Groningen, an area familiar with seismic activity due to decades of natural gas production. This production had been the cause of numerous minor tremors annually until operations permanently ceased two years ago in an attempt to mitigate further seismic events that have historically damaged buildings.

While the cessation of gas extraction is expected to reduce future quake severity, officials from the Dutch mining authority, SodM, caution that it may take decades for seismic activity to fully wane.

(With inputs from agencies.)