The Mediterranean region is a seismically active region characterised by a northward convergence of the African tectonic plate towards the Eurasian plate. The crust of the African plate is moving at a rate of between four and 10mm per year under that of the Eurasian plate and is being thrust into the Earth’s mantle (subduction) in some regions of the Mediterranean.

Last month, several earthquakes were recorded near the Strait of Gibraltar, the biggest one having a magnitude of 6.3. In this region, it is believed that another subduction zone exists, where the eastward moving Atlantic Ocean crust is subducted below the Mediterranean.

Globally, the biggest earthquake (magnitude 7.2) hit the Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia but because it occurred at a depth of around 150 kilometres below the surface, no casualties or damages were reported.

This earthquake is part of the activity caused by the Pacific plate, which is moving towards the west-northwest with respect to the North American and Eurasian plates.

Another major earthquake during the month occurred on January 16 in Alaska, where the Pacific plate subducts below the North American plate at a rate of around 6cm per year, as can be seen in the figure.

Locally, an earthquake of magnitude 4.4, which occurred around 32km northeast of Malta, shook the islands on January 13 and was felt by many people all over the islands.

The Seismic Monitoring and Research Group at the University of Malta received more than 360 reports of earthquake-related shaking being experienced, with many reporting rattling doors and furniture. No damage was reported.

Earthquakes of this magnitude do occur in the Sicily Channel, however they are only felt on Malta if their epicentre is relatively close, as in this case.

People are encouraged to fill the questionnaire on the website below if they experience any earthquake-related shaking.

http://seismic.research.um.edu.mt