The National Geographic Institute (IGN) recorded the tremor at 11.59am, with shaking lasting several seconds.
Emergency services were inundated with calls following the earthquake in Murcia this morning. The quake was felt in surrounding areas, including Alicante, nearby Benidorm and Albacete. The epicentre was located in the town of Librilla at a depth of approximately three miles, with Murcia about 18 miles away, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Emergency response
The 112 Emergency Coordination Centre for the Region of Murcia said it had received more than 80 calls across the region. In a post on X, it said: "The 112 Emergency Coordination Centre for the Region of Murcia has received more than 80 calls (...) at various points in the region. So far, no personal or material damage has been reported."
The earthquake follows a 4.7 magnitude quake in Naples, Italy, on Friday, which caused structural damage, destroyed vehicles and left around 20 people injured.
Recent seismic activity
According to Spain's National Geographic Institute, seven tremors had occurred in the days before this earthquake, with heightened activity resulting in 21 incidents over the past month. This is the country's most powerful earthquake in six months, surpassing the 2.3 magnitude tremor recorded on June 3.
In 2011, Spain's most devastating earthquake in decades struck the southern town of Lorca. The 5.2 magnitude quake killed 10 people and forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents as buildings crumbled. Rows of vehicles were buried beneath tons of debris, and a hospital required evacuation.
Regional risk
Southern Spain faces an elevated earthquake risk, particularly Andalusia and Murcia. The region sits on the northern edge of the collision zone where the Eurasian plate meets the Nubian (African) plate, converging northwards into Eurasia at roughly 4–5mm annually.
This tectonic convergence, which helped form Morocco's Atlas Mountains and central Europe's Alps, is now visible in southern Spain through the fault networks of the Betic Cordillera. The mountain range extends from the Gibraltar Arc westward through Malaga, Granada, Almeria and Murcia towards the Mediterranean coast.
