Small Earthquake Shakes Almería, Spain
Listen to the story
A light earthquake with a magnitude of 3.7 has been recorded in the province of Almería, in southern Spain. The epicenter of the tremor was located near the town of Zurgena, in the Levante area of Almería.
According to local reports, people in eastern Almería felt the ground shake. A tremor of this size is usually described as light, meaning it does not normally cause serious problems for buildings or people.
Authorities have not reported any injuries or major damage so far. Small and medium earthquakes are not unusual in this part of Spain, since the region sits close to a fault line where the Earth's plates meet.
Seismologists, the scientists who study earthquakes, continue to monitor the area closely. They use special equipment to measure any further movement underground and to check whether more tremors could follow.
Local residents have described feeling a short but noticeable shake. Many said the experience was surprising but not frightening, since the earthquake was relatively mild compared to stronger ones that can cause real destruction.
Officials have reminded residents that light earthquakes like this one are common in the region and do not usually require any special action, although people are advised to stay alert for updates.
Vocabulary10 words
- earthquake
- a sudden shaking of the ground caused by movement underground
- magnitude
- a number showing how strong an earthquake is
- epicenter
- the exact place where an earthquake begins
- tremor
- a shaking movement of the ground
- damage
- harm caused to buildings or things
- fault line
- a crack in the Earth where earthquakes can start
- seismologist
- a scientist who studies earthquakes
- monitor
- to watch something carefully over time
- mild
- not very strong or serious
- resident
- a person who lives in a place
Quiz
Answer key
1. Near Zurgena 2. No injuries or major damage have been reported 3. False
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A light _____ with a magnitude of 3.7 has been recorded in the province of Almería, in southern Spain. The _____ of the tremor was located near the town of Zurgena, in the Levante area of Almería.
According to local reports, people in eastern Almería felt the ground shake. A _____ of this size is usually described as light, meaning it does not normally cause serious problems for buildings or people.
Authorities have not reported any injuries or major _____ so far. Small and medium earthquakes are not unusual in this part of Spain, since the region sits close to a _____ where the Earth's plates meet.
_____, the scientists who study earthquakes, continue to _____ the area closely. They use special equipment to measure any further movement underground and to check whether more tremors could follow.
Local _____ have described feeling a short but noticeable shake. Many said the experience was surprising but not frightening, since the earthquake was relatively _____ compared to stronger ones that can cause real destruction.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever felt an earthquake? What was it like?
- Why do you think some regions have more earthquakes than others?
- How can people prepare for earthquakes in areas where they are common?
- Do you think small earthquakes should still be reported in the news? Why or why not?