The shock was felt not only in the Bełchatów area, but even in the vicinity of Radomsko, as reported by local media citing residents.
“We are waiting for reports from the Bełchatów district services, but we have no information about losses or destruction,” said Tobiasz Puchalski, spokesman for the Łódź voivode.
This is not the first quake felt in the Bełchatów and Szczerców area. The previous one in January 2010 was much stronger.
In the area of Rząśnia and Pajęczno (Łódź Province), based on seismograph readings, the magnitude of the quake was calculated at 4.7 degrees, and it is assumed that one degree more on the measurement scale means 30 times greater energy of the quake. That’s when destruction occurred. House walls and windows cracked, and school walls were damaged.
“A 3.6 magnitude quake is only characterized by the fact that we, as humans, feel it. At this level, it does not cause any losses. Someone driving a car might not have even felt it. Of course, it depends on the distance from the epicenter of the quake,” says Prof. Piotr Czubla, a geologist from the Department of Geology and Geomorphology at the University of Lodz.
“To the southwest of Bełchatów, more or less at the site of the last quake, runs the boundary between the Variscan Platform of Western Europe and the Great East European Platform lying to the northeast of it. The fold structures there are bent, which indicates the mutual movement of plates within the so-called Radomsko elevation. This region is visible on the surface in the form of a range of small hills, i.e. the aforementioned elevation,” explains Piotr Czubla.
The geologist noted, however, that the scale of fault movement in this area is small, so there is no threat of a catastrophic earthquake.
“The tremors in the Bełchatów and Szczerców areas may be the result of natural movements of the earth’s crust, but they may also be related to mining activity. Hundreds of millions of tons of earth were extracted from the open pit and then deposited on the mine’s external dump. High stresses are generated there,” Czubla said.
In 1980, another large quake was recorded in this area, measuring 4.5 degrees, and – according to Czubla – it was most likely caused by dehydration of the open-pit mine site.
The strongest earthquake felt in Poland since measurements began was the one in August 2004. The epicentre was in the Königsberg Oblast, and the 5.3 magnitude quake caused damage to buildings across Poland.
Geologists, based on chronicle records, indicate two very strong earthquakes in Polish lands. In 1443, assessed based on the description of damage at 6 degrees, it hit Wrocław, Brzeg, and also caused damage to buildings in Kraków.
Another one on a similar scale occurred in 1786 near Kraków.
Here are some PAA (People Also Ask) related questions for the title: **The seismic activity in Łódź Voivodeship, Poland**:
The seismic activity in Łódź Voivodeship, Poland
The Łódź Voivodeship, located in central Poland, is known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and industrial significance. However, this region has also experienced its fair share of seismic activity over the years. According to recent reports, a magnitude 3.6 earthquake was felt in the Bełchatów and Szczerców areas, causing quite a stir among the local population.
Historical context of earthquakes in Łódź
This is not the first time that earthquakes have been reported in the region. In January 2010, a much stronger earthquake of magnitude 4.7 was recorded in the area of Rząśnia and Pajęczno, causing destruction and damage to buildings. And in 1980, another significant earthquake of magnitude 4.5 was recorded in the same area. These events highlight the region’s seismic susceptibility and the importance of monitoring and understanding earthquake activity in the region.
Causes of earthquakes in Łódź
According to Prof. Piotr Czubla, a geologist from the University of Lodz, the tremors in the Bełchatów and Szczerców areas can be attributed to the natural movement of the earth’s crust, as well as human activities such as mining. The region’s geological structure, characterized by the boundary between the Variscan Platform of Western Europe and the Great East European Platform,creates an environment conducive to tectonic activity. Additionally, the extraction of hundreds of millions of tons of earth from the open pit and the subsequent deposition on the mine’s external dump generate high stresses that may contribute to seismic activity.
Monitoring and preparedness
Despite the region’s seismic history, there is no immediate threat of a catastrophic earthquake, according to Prof. Czubla. However, it is essential to monitor seismic activity closely and be prepared for any potential earthquakes. The Łódź Voivodeship has a comprehensive emergency response plan in place, which includes evacuation procedures, damage assessment, and communication protocols.
Recent earthquake data
Recent data from seismic monitoring stations reveals that the Łódź Voivodeship has experienced a significant number of earthquakes in recent years. According to [1], Lodz has had 25 earthquakes of magnitude up to 4.2 in a radius of 100 km since 2010. Similarly, data from [2] shows that Pabianice, a city in the Łódź Voivodeship, has experienced several earthquakes in recent days, with the strongest one measuring magnitude 3.2. Furthermore, [3] reports that there have been 100 major nearby earthquakes in the Łódź Voivodeship so far in 2024.
Conclusion
The earthquake activity in the Łódź Voivodeship, particularly in the Bełchatów and Szczerców areas, highlights the need for continued monitoring and preparedness. Understanding the geological and human factors contributing to seismic activity is crucial for mitigating the impact of earthquakes. By being informed and proactive, the local community can minimize the risks associated with earthquakes and ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens.
Earthquake intensity 1 to 10
Recent Earthquake in Bełchatów, Poland: A Geo-Seismic Analysis
On a recent day, a magnitude 3.6 earthquake was reported in Bełchatów, Poland, with its epicenter located 24 km southwest of the city, according to a tweet by LastQuake [[1]]. This is not the first time the area has experienced seismic activity. In fact, Bełchatów has had a history of earthquakes, with previous instances recorded in Szczerców, Skrzyszów, Opatów, Krzepice, and other surrounding areas [[2]].
The recent quake was felt not only in Bełchatów but also in the vicinity of Radomsko, as reported by local media citing residents. However, there were no immediate reports of losses or destruction, according to Tobiasz Puchalski, spokesman for the Łódź voivode.
While the magnitude 3.6 quake is considered relatively moderate, it is essential to understand the geological context of the region to appreciate its significance. Prof. Piotr Czubla, a geologist from the Department of Geology and Geomorphology at the University of Lodz, explains that the boundary between the Variscan Platform of Western Europe and the Great East European Platform lies to the southwest of Bełchatów, which indicates the mutual movement of plates within the Radomsko elevation. This region is characterized by small hills, which are a visible manifestation of the fold structures.
Czubla notes that the scale of fault movement in this area is small, and there is no threat of a catastrophic earthquake. However, he also suggests that the tremors in the Bełchatów and Szczerców areas may be the result of natural movements of the earth’s crust, but they may also be related to mining activity. The extraction of hundreds of millions of tons of earth from open pits and deposition on external dumps generates high stresses, which could contribute to seismic activity.
Interestingly, this is not the first significant earthquake to occur in the region. In 1980, a magnitude 4.5 earthquake was recorded in the area, which was likely caused by dehydration of the open-pit mine site, according to Czubla. Additionally, geologists have identified two very strong earthquakes in Polish lands, one in 1443, which hit Wrocław, Brzeg, and caused damage to buildings in Kraków, and another in 1786 near Kraków.
The strongest earthquake felt in Poland since measurements began was a magnitude 5.3 quake in August 2004, with its epicenter in the Königsberg Oblast, which caused damage to buildings across Poland.
while the recent magnitude 3.6 earthquake in Bełchatów, Poland, may not have caused significant damage or losses, it serves as a reminder of the region’s seismic history and the importance of understanding the geological context of the area. As Prof. Czubla notes, “A 3.6 magnitude quake is only characterized by the fact that we, as humans, feel it. At this level, it does not cause any losses.” Still, it is crucial to remain vigilant and monitor seismic activity in the region to ensure the safety of residents and infrastructure.
References:
[[1]] https://twitter.com/LastQuake/status/1830732058559230362
[[2]] https://earthquaketrack.com/pl-74-belchatow/recent
[[3]] https://masto.ai/@lastquake/113070277514653327
