- Western Slovakia was hit by a strong earthquake with a magnitude of 4.3.
- The earthquake was also felt in the Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary.
- Seismologists recorded 22 aftershocks, of which five more significant ones were felt by residents.
- The sound effect accompanied the earthquake, it was also heard in the Galanta district.
- The earthquake did not cause any loss of life or health.
Saturday’s (February 21) earthquake in the west of Slovakia will be classified as a strong earthquake. It was also felt in the Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary. He stated this for TASR head of the department of seismology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences Kristián Csicsay. “On a global scale, this is a weak earthquake. For example, in Italy or Greece, you definitely have such an earthquake at least once a month. But it’s rare here, so we advise that it’s a strong earthquake by our standards.” Csicsay explained.
Currently, seismologists are recording 22 aftershocks in the vicinity of the epicenter, their strength ranges from 0.9 to 2.8 magnitude. According to Csicsay, people also felt the five aftershocks, which were above two magnitudes. Aftershocks were also recorded in Trenčín and Prievidza.
“Aftershocks will continue, because such strong earthquakes have aftershocks. Increased seismic activity in this region may last for weeks or months, but the frequency of aftershocks should decrease,” he stated. At the same time, Csicsay noted that even if the strength of the aftershocks will decrease, there may still be a stronger aftershock that people will feel.
The earthquake was also accompanied by a sound effect, which, according to Csicsay, was also heard in the Galanta district. “Thirty kilometers from the epicenter, people reported hearing something,” he pointed out. The seismologist claims that a total of 6,000 people filled out the macroseismic questionnaire. Based on the questionnaires, experts will know the epicentral intensity of the earthquake in about two weeks. “And that is important, for example, for insurance companies,” Csicsay pointed out.
On the afternoon of Saturday, February 21, seismologists recorded an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.3 with an epicenter near the village of Rohovce in the Dunajská Streda district. People in Bratislava also felt the tremors. Health or life consequences were not reported according to the Department of the Interior.
