The province of Groningen, in the northern Dutch was shaken by a 3.4-magnitude earthquake on Monday. This is the biggest to hit by far, since 2012, following a series of tremors blamed on extraction in Europe’s biggest gas field.
Locals said the ground started shaking just before 15:00 and the Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute (KNMI) confirmed the quake was generated roughly about three kilometres below the surface at the small village of Zeerijp.
“Our office shook. Shaking in my chair. Strange earthquake,” tweeted one witness, who identified herself only as Esther.
“We’ve just had an earthquake, really felt it here this time!” another witness Aniek responded in another tweet.
Northern Groningen, which harbours the European Union’s largest gas field, has been experiencing these tremors and they have since increased as gas production rose in the area since the 1990’s.
Angry residents say they have been victims of these repetitive quakes that have left their houses, farms and historical buildings damaged.
The NOS public broadcaster reported that Monday’s earthquake showed no indication of major damage.
The strongest quake to ever hit Groningen was registered at 3.6-magnitude in 2012, reported the KNMI. Following that was a 3.5 quake in 2006 but minor quakes have continued to rock the village.
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