2024-01-24 17:16:00
Published on January 24, 2024, 6:16 p.m. / ©fotolia.com
There are five noticeable earthquakes in an average month that can be felt throughout Austria. While most of the noticeable earthquakes in January were “at home” in Tyrol, Carinthia was also hit.
by Phillip Plattner
2 minutes reading time (376 words)
A total of 22 earthquakes have been recorded in Carinthia since January 11th, seven of which had a magnitude of 1.9 or higher, most of which were also felt by the population. Six of these seven earthquakes took place near the Loibl Pass in Ferlach – just today there was another one in the early hours of the morning – we reported. We have now asked the experts at “GeoSphere Austria” what the statistically frequent earthquakes are all about.
An average of seven noticeable earthquakes in Carinthia per year
“On average, at least seven earthquakes per year in Carinthia are noticed by the population,” explains us Anton Vogelmann from “GeoSphere Austria”. So today we have already experienced more than half of the otherwise noticeable earthquakes in Carinthia – in less than a month. This is a series of earthquakes, but they are not that unusual in Austria. There is currently one – much stronger – taking place in St. Johann in Tirol; in 2023 there was one in Gloggnitz (Lower Austria), where the earth shook noticeably 29 times from March to December.
Building damage only happens every 40 years
However, Vogelmann immediately reassures him. Damage to buildings only occurs about every 40 years in Carinthia. “The southern areas are particularly affected, as they felt the effects of earthquakes in Friuli – for example in 1976 – and Slovenia,” said the expert.
Various causes of earthquakes
Vogelmann knows that the causes of the earthquakes are varied. “On the one hand, we find many local earthquake sources. These include Strasbourg / St. Veit, the Feistritz valley and Gmünd / Katschberg, as well as the northwestern part of the Lavanttal.” There would be many fracture zones in the hinterland of the Adriatic plate that penetrates under the Alps. “What we notice is only a fraction, since most of these sudden deformations that lead to earthquakes occur outside of Austria, but can still be heard in Carinthia or can even lead to damage,” explains Vogelmann in conclusion. By the way: The earthquakes in Ferlach have nothing to do with those in St. Johann in Tirol.
Frequently asked Questions:
Why are there currently so many earthquakes in Carinthia?
The earthquakes in Carinthia are part of a series of earthquakes. The area around the Loiblpass and Ferlach is currently most affected, where six earthquakes with a magnitude of 1.9 or higher have been measured in the past few days. The reason is “many fracture zones in the hinterland of the Adriatic plate that penetrates under the Alps,” explains GeoSphere Austria.
Where are the most earthquakes in Carinthia?
There are many local earthquake sources in Carinthia. These include Strasbourg / St. Veit, the Feistritz valley and Gmünd / Katschberg, as well as the northwestern part of the Lavanttal.
How often do earthquakes cause damage in Carinthia?
Building damage caused by earthquakes in Carinthia occurs on average about every 40 years. “The southern areas are particularly affected, as they felt the effects of earthquakes in Friuli – for example in 1976 – and Slovenia,” said an expert from “GeoSphere Austria”.
How often do earthquakes occur in Carinthia?
According to Anton Vogelmann from “GeoSphere Austria”, there are an average of seven noticeable earthquakes every year in Carinthia. By the end of January, more than half of the annual average had already been reached.
Why are there earthquakes in Carinthia?
Anton Vogelmann from “GeoSphere Austria” knows that the cause of the earthquakes is varied. “On the one hand, we find many local earthquake sources. These include Strasbourg / St. Veit, the Feistritz valley and Gmünd / Katschberg, as well as the northwestern part of the Lavanttal.” There would be many fracture zones in the hinterland of the Adriatic plate that penetrates under the Alps. “What we notice is only a fraction, since most of these sudden deformations that lead to earthquakes occur outside of Austria, but can still be heard in Carinthia or can even lead to damage,” explains Vogelmann in conclusion.
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