People in Alicante province woke suddenly before dawn on Wednesday when a magnitude 3.1 earthquake struck near Murcia. It was the strongest tremor in the region in six months. The Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN) recorded the quake just 11 kilometers from Pilar de la Horadada. The shaking reached San Miguel de Salinas; residents also felt it in San Pedro del Pinatar and San Javier.
Most people slept through it, and only a few noticed the tremor. No injuries or property damage have been reported. The IGN said the quake struck several kilometers underground, limiting its impact on buildings and daily life. EFE reported that the first shock was very shallow, at about 3 km deep. A second tremor followed at 06:31, measuring magnitude 3.0 and originating roughly 6 km below the surface. Both quakes were officially felt in southern Alicante and several towns in Murcia.
Later that morning, a separate magnitude 2.9 tremor was felt in Pilar de la Horadada and several neighboring towns, information from ABC and Europa Press.
The IGN maintains a detailed questionnaire for people who feel earthquakes. The tool dates back to reforms under Fernando VI after the Lisbon earthquake of 1755. It lets people report what they felt, including whether they were asleep or awake and how they reacted. They can also say whether anything moved or fell. These firsthand reports, together with seismograph data, help the IGN assess each quake's strength and effects.
Six earthquakes were recorded in the area in the past week alone, bringing the monthly total to nine. None matched the strength of the latest event. The previous impressive tremor was recorded on September 25, measuring magnitude 3.3. Regional reports based on IGN data say it was also felt in southern Alicante. Seismic activity in the region has increased.
EFE reported that signals from the nighttime tremors were detected in multiple towns across Vega Baja and neighboring areas of Murcia. They were recorded in Orihuela, Torrevieja and San Javier, as well as in Murcia, Molina de Segura and Pilar de la Horadada. The activity is part of a broader series of minor earthquakes recorded in the area over the past week.
This part of Spain is accustomed to natural disturbances, but no damage or injuries were reported this time. The event comes amid recent weather alerts in Spain, including the ES-Alert for heavy rain in Tarragona reported earlier. The IGN continues to monitor seismic activity and encourages the public to complete its questionnaires.
The IGN combines older methods with new technology to track Spain's seismic shifts. Residents can contribute by staying alert and reporting what they feel.
