Earthquake with Magnitude 2.6 Shakes Wiesbaden Area
A minor earthquake with a magnitude of 2.6 struck the western Rhine-Main area around Wiesbaden on Friday afternoon, October 24, at 5:20 PM. The tremor was felt in parts of the Taunus region, Wiesbaden, and Mainz, with users describing hearing 'loud bangs' and feeling a slight jolt, causing some houses to shake violently.
The earthquake's epicenter was near Taunusstein, with a depth of 15 kilometers. It may have been felt within a 20-kilometer radius, potentially affecting around 660,000 people. The Taunus region is a seismic hotspot, with 71 earthquakes recorded in 2023, none exceeding magnitude 2.2. These quakes are caused by distant effects of shifts between the African and European tectonic plates in the Mediterranean region. The Upper Rhine Graben, a geological rift stretching from Switzerland through the Frankfurt area to the Lower Rhine Bay, experiences pressure from plate movement and the dissolution of rock blocks, triggering earthquakes.
The calculated maximum intensity reached 3.1, making it 'likely perceptible' to up to 664,000 people. The Hessische Landesbetrieb für Bodenmanagement und Geoinformation (HLBG) is responsible for the recording, monitoring, and evaluation of earthquake activities in Hessen, operating the seismic observation network SeisNet.Hessen. They work closely with other geoscientific institutions in Germany and Europe to ensure timely recognition of earthquakes, determination of their strength and location, and evaluation of potential hazards.
The earthquake near Taunusstein on October 24 was a reminder of the region's seismic activity. Although minor, it caused noticeable disturbances, highlighting the importance of the HLBG's work in monitoring and evaluating such events. Further information can be found on the official website of the HLBG.
