Magnitude 3.4 earthquake hits northern Netherlands, strongest in years
A magnitude 3.4 earthquake hit the northern Dutch province of Groningen early Friday, marking the strongest tremor in the region in several years, according to the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI). The earthquake struck at 1:16 a.m. local time, with its epicenter near the village of Zeerijp, about 10 kilometers west of Delfzijl, at a shallow depth of three kilometers.
The tremor was widely felt across Groningen, from the German border to Drenthe, but no damage has been reported so far. A 2.0-magnitude aftershock followed the main quake.
Groningen has experienced man-made earthquakes for decades due to gas extraction, which began in the 1960s. Although large-scale gas production has largely ceased, residual underground tension continues to trigger occasional quakes.
Seismologist Laslo Evers explained, “Tension in the subsurface from previous gas extraction is still released occasionally along faults in the gas field, causing these earthquakes.” Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof emphasized ongoing efforts to reinforce buildings, compensate damages, and ensure economic stability for residents.
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