Magnitude 5.3 earthquake kills at least 4 in Spain

[Viva_La_Revolution]

Source: Reuters

At least four people were killed when a 5.3 magnitude earthquake hit the small town of Lorca in the southern Spanish region of Murcia Wednesday, the town's mayor said in a radio interview.

"Unfortunately, we can confirm four deaths due to cave-ins and falling debris," the mayor of Lorca, Francisco Jodar, told radio station Ser.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/11/us-spain-earthquake-idUSTRE74A61M20110511

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depth at 0.6 miles

BBCBreaking‎ An earthquake of magnitude 5.1 has hit south eastern Spain close to Lorca reportedly toppling several buildings, local media reports-AFP
Twitter - 3 minutes ago

RT @RodrigoEBR: According to El Mundo, five people were killed after the 5.3-magnitude earthquake in southern Spain. Damage reported.
Twitter - 2 minutes ago

EarthquakeReport
UPDATE 17:40 UTC : According to sources, it is possible that there are more deaths because there are two buildings that have suffered major damage to its structure. The Emergency Coordination Center has called in a bulletin to the media to move to the residents of Lorca’s recommendation not to use the lifts for any “train wrecks” Lorca Neighbours have told Efe that the situation now is ” panic “that thousands of people are on the street not knowing what to do or where to go, and that the shaking has surprised everyone in the middle of the routine.

UPDATE 17:37 UTC : As confirmed by sources close to Europa Press, many buildings have been affected, such as the Belfry of the Church of San Diego, the roof of the asylum, the Torre del Castillo de Lorca Ram and a wall could have stopped someone trapped.

UPDATE 17:35 UTC : Among the material damage for the moment, there have been highlights the collapse of the roof at the nursing home Caser Lorca, who have been evacuated. (these data were already reported after the first shaking)
more http://earthquake-report.com/2011/05/11/moderate-earthquake-near-lorca-and-murcia-spain/

[RandySF]

1. 5.3?

How old are their buildings? We had a 5.7 a few years ago that just rattled some dishes.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Spain is not known as an active quake zone

for the most part.

So codes are not what you would have in an active quake zone.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

3. live video shows several buildings missing corners, large cracks

in very old buildings... looks 2-300 hundred years, the churches are older.

one newscaster was broadcasting when the steeple of the church behind him fell off several minutes after the quake.

I really wish now I had stuck with spanish in high school, I'm only catching about 10% of what they're saying. :(

http://www.rtve.es/noticias/directo-la-1/

[nichomachus]

6. Well let's see

Since they were a thriving and wealthy country when they discovered us in 1492, some of their buildings are pretty old.

A lot depends on where you are in relation to the fault, the type of fault, the depth of the quake, the geological structure of the area. It varies greatly from place to place. For example, a major earthquake along the New Madrid fault in the central US would be more devastating than a similar magnitude quake in SF. Also, the length of the event in time is critical. If it goes on for a while, it will do more damage. So, lot of factors.

[freshwest]

4. Could this remove Rick Scott from Florida?

Scientists warn of massive wave

August 29, 2001

While stressing that there is no indication it could happen soon, Atlantic coastlines in Europe, Africa and the Americas are under threat from a monster wave of Hollywood -- even Biblical -- proportions, scientists have warned.

They fear that a massive landslide following a major volcanic eruption in the Canary Islands would send a 300-foot wave across the Atlantic, causing devastation to coastal towns and cities.

British and U.S. scientists who have issued the warning predict that, in the worst-case scenario, the tidal wave would destroy the coasts of Florida and Brazil.

http://articles.cnn.com/2001-08-29/tech/tidal.wave_1_tidal-wave-tsunami-cumbre-vieja?_s=PM:TECH

Spain > Canary Islands > Florida > Rick Scott. Hey, it could happen! In other news, the Yellowstone Caldera is way overdue to destroy the USA as we know it. Finish doing your shopping before the 21st. Well, it was good while it lasted. Sayonara!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

5. Updated article.. 7 dead, many injuries

The Spanish government has confirmed seven deaths following a magnitude 5.3 earthquake in Lorca.

The quake had a focal depth of just 1km and hit the southern coast of Lorca at 6.47am local time. It followed a smaller 4.4 magnitude earthquake about two hours earlier.

Lorca mayor Francisco Joda confirmed four initial deaths, telling Spanish radio station Ser they were caused by “cave-ins and falling debris” immediately after the quake. More fatalities have since been confirmed.

There are reports a child is among the deceased.

http://www.3news.co.nz/7-dead-buildings-topple-in-Spain-earthquake/tabid/417/articleID/210802/Default.aspx

[dipsydoodle]

7. Earthquake hits southern Spain, ten dead

At least ten people were reported dead and dozens injured after an earthquake shook southeastern Spain on Wednesday, toppling historic buildings in the medieval town of Lorca.

>

Spain is at moderate risk of earthquakes. On average every 200 years an earthquake of over six on the Richter scale occurs. In 2007 an earthquake of 6.3 magnitude struck the region in Cabo Sao Vicente on Portugal's southern coast, with no reports of damage or casualties.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/spain/8508047/Earthquake-hits-southern-Spain-ten-dead.html

There is an odd irony here.

Rome 'gripped' by earthquake prediction fear

The Italian capital, Rome, might be a little quieter than usual on Wednesday.

This is because thousands of residents are said to be taking the day off fearing the city is about to be struck by an earthquake.

The prediction was made by scientist Raffaele Bendandi decades ago, but many people are apparently taking it seriously.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13356228

[comtec]

8. buildings in the villages are like nothing you've ever seen before

ancient in general. some centuries old. just together because there hasnt been a stiff breeze.
my ex inlaws live in a tiny village outside of Salamanca, in a new (very nice) building. it has no steel in it iirc. it's all foot thick brick and adobe. perfectly fine for Spain, not so much for anyplace that gets quakes.

I havent heard back from them yet, but im sure I would have heard from my ex if anything bad had happened.

so yeah... my thoughts and prayers are with the people of spain.

[dipsydoodle]

9. Spain earthquake: Thousands in Lorca sleep out in fear

Thousands of people have spent the night outdoors in the southern Spanish town of Lorca after an earthquake which killed at least eight people.

The magnitude-5.2 tremor toppled several buildings after striking at a depth of just 10km (six miles), 120km south-west of Alicante.

Lines of cars lay crushed under tonnes of rubble after Spain's worst earthquake for 50 years.

Wednesday evening's quake came about two hours after a 4.4-magnitude tremor.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13371472