A significant earthquake registering a magnitude of 5.5 struck southern Spain this morning, causing noticeable tremors across more than 50 towns, including the well-known tourist destination, Costa del Sol. Most of the impact was felt in the Axarquía region, particularly in Velez-Malaga and Torre del Mar, areas that are accustomed to seismic activity due to their geographical position near several fault lines involving Spain, Morocco, Algeria, and Italy.
Eyewitness accounts reflect the experience of residents and visitors alike. One tourist in Agua Amarga, Almeria, described the event saying, “I was sleeping, and the whole house shook for a few seconds,” emphasizing the alarming roar that accompanied the tremor, which startled her entire family and neighbors.
Generally, earthquakes with a magnitude between 3.5 and 5.4 are perceived by people but usually do not result in significant structural damage. According to experts, earthquakes below 6.0 typically pose minimal threat to well-constructed buildings; however, older or poorly built structures could see minor damages. Notably, the strongest earthquake recorded in Spain over the last decade was a 5.4 magnitude event, indicating the rarity of such intense occurrences in the region.
Reflecting on the recent seismic history, last year, Gran Canaria experienced its most powerful quake in six decades at around 7:20 PM local time, fueling an already heightened awareness of seismic risks in the region.
Interestingly, amidst discussions of seismic activity, there have also been notable social movements in major Spanish cities. For instance, Malaga witnessed substantial protests against mass tourism last summer, with over 15,000 individuals expressing their concerns about the impacts of tourism on local communities, emphasizing sentiments like, “Malaga is for the people of Malaga, tourism forces us out.”
While the tremors have caused a stir, there remains a sense of resilience among residents, as communities continue to navigate both natural events and social changes in the landscape of tourism. It’s a reminder of the dynamic nature of life in these robust and vibrant regions.