Magnitude 4.7 earthquake shakes Romania
A moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 4.7 struck Romania early Monday morning, according to the National Institute for Research and Development in Earth Physics (INCDFP).
The tremor, which occurred at 00:05 local time (23:05 GMT), was centred in the Vrancea-Buzău seismic zone, approximately 53 kilometres west of Focşani, and was felt across the country, including the capital city of Bucharest.
“On December 4, 2023, at 00:05:48 (Romanian time), a medium-magnitude earthquake with a magnitude of 4.7 occurred in the VRANCEA-BUZĂU SEISMIC ZONE, at a depth of 140 kilometres,” the institute stated in a release.
The earthquake, which originated at a depth of 140 kilometres, was the second significant seismic event to hit Romania in recent months. On February 14, a 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck the Gorj region, causing some damage to buildings and infrastructure.
While no immediate reports of damage or injuries have surfaced following Monday’s earthquake, authorities remain vigilant and are monitoring the situation closely. Romania is situated in a seismically active region, with the Vrancea-Buzău seismic zone particularly prone to earthquakes due to the presence of the Vrancea fault, a major fault line running through the Carpathian Mountains.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
