Where in Switzerland, the earth quakes most often

Since the night of Tuesday have been registered in the Valais, about one hundred quakes. The strongest reached a magnitude of between 3.0 and 3.3 and have been perceived the way to the Bernese Oberland. According to the Swiss seismological service (SED) is an "unusual earthquake swarm," as it exists in this country only rarely.

In comparison with other European countries, a medium-sized earthquake hazard in Switzerland, where there are large regional differences: The Valais is the Region with the highest risk, followed by the area around the city of Basel. Also, Graubünden, St. Gallen's Rhine valley and in Central Switzerland are more affected. Regions without risk there is not in Switzerland.

If it shakes us, is that in the majority of cases, a consequence of the Collision of the European and the African continental plates. Per year, between 1,000 and 1,500 earthquakes occur in Switzerland. Of the population, in fact, only those which have magnitudes of at least 2.5 can be felt but. In the long-term average of 23 earthquakes with that or greater thickness occur every year.

About every 8 to 15 years is expected for a quake of magnitude 5, in the case of the furniture to be moved and items from the shelves to fall. Also, damage to the solid-built houses (wall cracks, falling brick) can occur. The last earthquake had caused in Switzerland, major damage occurred in 1991, Vaz, in the Canton of Grisons, with a thickness of 5.

In the current year, the probability of a Magnitude-5 quake was at 10 percent. Up to now, the one in the Valais sanetsch pass was on Tuesday with a 3.3 but the strongest.

The probability of a catastrophic quake with a Magnitude of 6 is small, it is a percent in the current year. On average, every 50 to 150 years is to be expected with such an event, in which even well-built houses severely damaged or collapse.

The last Time the earth shook in 1946 in Sierre in the Valais so strong. "Such a quake can occur anywhere and at any time in Switzerland", warns of the SED. Although he operates a measurement network of over 200 seismic stations over the whole of Switzerland. However, earthquake, the natural hazard with the greatest potential for damage, can neither be reliably predicted nor prevented.

Put the city in ruins: The great Earthquake in Basel in 1356, on a representation of the history painter Karl Jauslin. Photo:

The strongest historically documented earthquake in Switzerland occurred way long before the introduction of modern measuring methods: In the year 1356, the earth shook near Basel with a Magnitude of 6.6 and caused major damage.

According to Lore, it was a series of massive seismic thrust, which ensured that, among other things, the roof of the Cathedral collapsed, and the altars, the organ, and the images destroyed. The city was also on fire, the fire could not be extinguished for eight days. Depending on the historical source of up to 2000 people were killed.

Created: 06.11.2019, 16:30 PM