Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2012
401 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the assessment that has been made of the cause of the earthquake which took place today, 6 June 2012 off the coast of Belmullet, County Mayo; the likelihood of a reoccurrence in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28215/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is situated on a tectonically benign part of the world, unlike for example Japan, California, New Zealand or parts of the Mediterranean and is therefore not at risk from high magnitude earthquakes.
The magnitude 4.0 earthquake that occurred 60 km off the north Mayo coast at 08:58 local time on 6th June was located on a geological fault system that drops the Slyne-Rockall basins down to the west off the Irish shelf. These naturally occurring faults, formed millions of years ago, have had a long geological history and are related to the continuing opening of the Atlantic ocean. Seismicity of this magnitude has not been recorded along the fault system in this area since instrumental records began in 1970. While the location and magnitude of this event were unexpected, there is a clear geological reason for it. Future seismic activity along the fault system may be anticipated, but not of significantly larger magnitude. The magnitude was far below the threshold for generation of a seismogenic tsunami or indeed to cause significant structural damage.
