Tuesday morning the 16th December 2008 at 05:20 there was an earthquake in the South of Sweden, the strongest one for about 104 years: magnitude 4.7 on the Richter scale.
People could feel the tremors from the earthquake in the south parts of Sweden and over the water to the capital of Denmark, Copenhagen. The epicenter is said to have been 10-15 km north east of Ystad.
No persons were seriously hurt thankfully and not so much material damages either, though it’s of course a very scary experience.
I remember the only time I’ve felt one: that was here in Stockholm the 25th of May 2006, a baby earthquake at about magnitude 2-3 on the Richter scale, but it was only about 3 km from here. We could feel some kind of an explosion, as we first thought.
Sweden is too far away from the kind of tectonic ridges where earthquakes use to appear, the nearest one is on Iceland, so we’re not that worried. We seldom get any noticeable ones.
However, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:
When you’re traveling though, it can be a good thing to have a look at the Iris Seismic Monitor if there have been any earthquakes recently in the area you’re heading too or if they use to have them all the time…
Lifecruiser ♥ Sweden
Yikes. I live in earthquake country. We get some ugly ones here from time to time. I don’t care for them, but I don’t want to be in tornado, hurricane or typhoon county. Almost every area has something.
Wise decision on checking out where you are traveling before to go. Surprises like an earthquake is an unwelcome part of anyone’s trip.
Glad everyone is okay. Big hug.
Comedy Pluss last blog post..My Living Will
I didn’t know that you have those! Interesting. Glad no one was hurt!
Maribeths last blog post..Being Missed
It is good that no one was hurt. I’m not sure what the ranges are for earthquakes, since we live in the hurricane place. I should familiarize myself with them tho’ since we had one today in Summerville. They said a 3 point something. Charleston hasn’t had a big earthquake I think since the 19th century. I’m definitely gonna check out the link. It’ll be very helpful.
SwordMamas last blog post..beatific Friday/tgif
Guess SC wasn’t listed since it was under the 4. Thanks for the link Captain!
SwordMamas last blog post..beatific Friday/tgif
No harm done, so I guess its ok. BTW, cap’n, I was reading this top 50 twitter list on elliott.org, and saw you on that list. You’re famous. I think I need to take your autograph.
I hate earthquakes. When I lived in New Zealand, they were very common and of course, the day before I went down to Rotorua, they’d had one of 5.5 on the Richter scale. I was not impressed. However, there were none when I was there, much to my relief.
Puss in Bootss last blog post..Two Birthdays…
It was interesting to see what happened in the Social Media Networks, and there the first reports on what happened turned up. It was the same with the bombings in Mombai, “old media” (Newspapers etc) Was unprofessionally slow. Includes a link for you to see about the Swedish Eartquacke: (In Swedish…)
http://jocke.jaiku.com/presence/50210222#c-1933142
Anderss last blog post..A little bit about the services you never knew you needed
I grew up in an earthquake country, I have had quite a few in my life…the older I get, the most those things scare me
4.7 is a strong one, glad nothing serious happened!
Mars last blog post..wordless wednesday: coffee and (German Xmas) cookies
I didn’t know you had a earthquake. Glad to know no one was hurt. I was born in algeria where earthquakes are common and I heard often my parents speaking about and particulary they were used to go out in the street during these moments.
Goodness
that’s quite something for little Sweden! The thought of earth shaking makes me very nervous…..
Carolines last blog post..Hubby at UK border control
About two years ago, my roommate and I were in the living room, watching TV, when everything started shaking for about 10 seconds. It felt like when a large truck rolls by the apt, but neither of us heard a truck. I joked, “Was that an earthquake?” – and we both laughed, because we’d never had one in Florida.
But sure enough, watching the news later, turns out there was a 6.7 quake in the gulf, just off the Florida coast and we felt it over 100 miles away.
It’s scary because you just don’t expect it. At least with a hurricane, you know it’s path for several days and can at least get out of the area.
Michelles last blog post..12 days of xmas videos – day 4
We once had an earthquake (5 on Richter) here in Belgium. The whole country went mad, except me ! I slept and didn’t even wake up ! My neighbor thought his dog was scratching himself on the bed because it shaked !
Next day I saw the damages at TV !
Gattinas last blog post..
It’s a good advice you gave here.
I can’t remember any EQ’s in Oslo, but about 25 km east of Oslo it happens from time to time ( 2-4 on the Richter Scale).
It’s more frequent though on the Western and Northern Coasts.
But not of a force that result in serious damages.
We live very safe in the Oslo area – with 4 seasons and nature close around.
We have been several times to Chile, and Quakes as has you had in Sweden happens very often. It’s a very strange feeling for us that are not at all used to it. (We experienced several) And on top of that the Volcanos – can’t help it but I’m sickly attracted to Natural Phenomaes like this.
And we are also very aware the fact EQ’s in Chile can measure more than 8 on the scale. The most powerful on Earth.
Locals we talked with said most of them could remember EQ’s of more than 7 on the Richter scale – from south to north in this 4200 km long narrow country.
Even on the other side of the Andes Mountain Range. Mendoza was more or less destroyed in 1964 and tens of thousands died.
The City is rebuild and you will be impressed of how they constructed streets and trottoirs adatped for all people that were injuried.
Mrs Lifecruiser, why the heck did I wrote this long comment?
When I’m still at work.
Because I like this post.
hugs to the both of you
Tor y Anna
TorAas last blog post..X-Mas – just before and simple thoughts about Religions and Vikings
Here is a link providing the info on the one here in SC:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsus/Quakes/us2008arar.php
SwordMamas last blog post..beatific Friday/tgif
I have only experienced one earthquake when travelling to California. Australia pretty much doesn’t have them. It was gentle on the scale but seriously unnerving. Interestingly, the locals who have seen it all before were very relaxed about it.
Mark Hs last blog post..Photo of the Week – Elephants at Night (Kenya)
Didn’t know or even heard about it – must have been very unpleasant – glad it went on so well after all!
Look: Sorry I haven’t been around that much, but my back kind of hurt and its hard to write. So while I’m finally here: Good Yuletide to you and your family!
RennyBAs last blog post..Celebrating Liv Ullman 70 years from Norway
We get more earthquakes here in North America, where I am from, and have been through probably a dozen earthquakes in my lifetime, large and small. Always duck under the nearest table when it happens. This have saved my head from getting squashed in more than one occasion.