Residents in Baden-Württemberg were awoken last night as a light earthquake trembled the southern state in Germany.

4,2 magnitude earthquake felt in Baden-Württemberg

Locals in the Lörrach district of Baden-Württemberg were awoken from their sleep last night by a light earthquake.

Speaking to southern German public broadcaster SWR, the State Seismological Service (LED) explained that the main earthquake hit at 3am and was followed by 30 smaller jostles across the region, the strongest of which reached a magnitude of 1,7. 

The main quake was most felt in the municipality of Schopfheim and reached a magnitude of 4,2, which the Modified Mercalle scale of earthquake intensity characterises as causing vibrations “similar to those caused by the passing of heavy trucks [...] Standing automobiles rock. Windows, dishes, and doors rattle. Glasses clink, crockery clashes.”

According to police, no significant damages have been registered as of yet.

Germany’s strongest earthquake since 2009

Germany’s last significant earthquake hit the same district in 2009, after the municipality of Steinen - also in the Lörrach - felt a 4,5 magnitude earthquake. On the upper end of the scale, these “light” earthquakes can cause wooden walls and frames to creak.

The seismic activity below Baden-Württemberg, caused by the African continental plate hitting the Eurasian plate, makes it the German federal state with the highest earthquake risk.

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