Archives for November 2019

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• Vatra’s campaign to raise funds and prayers to lift spirits for earthquake victims/

• Special Event: Saturday, November 30 at 12 pm at Vatra’s Headquarters/ 

The residents of the earthquake-stricken areas in Albania have been on edge as a series of dangerous aftershocks have rattled the region around Tirana. A 5.0-magnitude quake was registered near the city of Thumane on Thursday afternoon forcing the authorities to call off search-and-rescue operations. The death toll rose to 49 as search operations continued in other locations. Rescuers are increasingly pessimistic survivors will be found. The Swiss team, on the ground, is reported to have completed the search and rescue operation at this time. The state of emergency will proceed with the next phase which is recovery. Residents in many neighborhoods remain in tents or have moved in with relatives in other towns, as authorities warn that the buildings remain unsafe. International teams of inspectors will be conducting assessments with regards to structural damages of the buildings before the authorities can allow the residents to go back to the dwellings.  

Experts warn that aftershocks may continue for weeks or months. From the geological standpoint, Albania sits on “the most seismically active part of the Balkan region” with a history of earthquakes. Although scientists are not able to predict where and when the next one will strike, they are calling for a good preparation strategy. Special attention should be placed in the coastal areas of Albania.

Thursday marked Albania’s 107th independence anniversary. President Ilir Meta called on his countrymen to use the moment “to help heal the wounds caused by the earthquake.”

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SEISMOLOGICAL CENTER REPORTS DECLINE IN AFTERSHOCKS

In the last hours, the official account on social media of European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) has posted a new update stating that the aftershocks activity is now limited. The graph attached to the recent update shows the decline in the seismic aftershocks in the inhabited areas affected by the earthquake.  

“Since the publication of the graph below, aftershock activity following #AlbaniaEarthquake has remained limited. We hope the decrease in aftershock rate will continue and that our friends and people in Albania could have some rest. Stay safe”

The previous post read: “Updated figure of the rate of seismicity following #AlbaniaEarthquake. As expected during an aftershock sequence, the number of  earthquakes per day is decreasing. Still, aftershocks being close to inhabited areas, even the one of small magnitude are widely felt. 

Stay safe”

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, was established in 1975, as a non profit organisation, comprised of 84 members institutes from 55 different countries.