In the early hours of Monday, December 1, residents along the Málaga coast were awakened by mild tremors. An earthquake with a magnitude of 3.2 struck near Estepona, just five kilometers from the city and at a considerable depth. The epicenter was close to Marbella, causing brief concern among locals.
Seismic activity was concentrated mainly in the western part of the province. The vibrations were felt in Manilva, Casares, and Genalguacil, although most people did not notice any changes. In Algeciras, Estepona, and La Línea de la Concepción, the tremors were barely perceptible.
Residents’ reactions
Local residents who did feel the seismic movement report that the tremors were very weak and did not cause panic. Many did not immediately realize what had happened, mistaking the vibration for passing traffic or everyday noise. As a result, there were no reports of damage or injuries.
Authorities urged citizens to remain calm and reminded them they could share their experiences through a special online form. Collecting this information helps experts better assess the impact and spread of the tremors.
Data collection
To analyze the consequences of an earthquake, not only data from seismographs is used, but also eyewitness accounts. Residents are encouraged to fill out a special questionnaire where they can specify what they were doing at the time of the tremor, how they reacted, and whether they noticed any objects moving around them. This information allows experts to more accurately determine the strength and impact of the earthquake on local communities.
This practice has existed in Spain for a long time and helps ensure a quick response to seismic events. Thanks to this approach, authorities are able to promptly inform the public and assess potential risks to infrastructure.
Seismic Activity
The recent earthquake was not the first incident in the past week. A few days earlier, minor tremors had already been recorded in the region, bringing the total since the beginning of the month to four. However, the nighttime episode on December 1 was the most notable in the past six months.
Despite regular reports of seismic activity, such events in this area rarely lead to serious consequences. Most earthquakes are barely noticeable to residents and do not cause any damage.
