Earthquakes in October 2024

Ten noticeable earthquakes occurred in Austria in October, one each in Upper and Lower Austria, three in Tyrol and five from a series of earthquakes in Vorarlberg.

On 1 October at 00:03 CEST, a weak earthquake with a magnitude of 1.4 was felt sporadically in Steyrling, Upper Austria (47.79°N, 14.18°E). It was an aftershock to the clearly noticeable earthquake on 23 September. The intensity of the aftershock was 3 degrees on the 12-step European Macroseismic Scale (EMS-98).

A magnitude 1.9 earthquake was felt in Gloggnitz (Lower Austria) and several places in the surrounding area on 12 October at 21:35 CEST (47.67°N, 15.95°E). Lamps and objects moved slightly and a clear rumbling of the ground could be heard. The intensity was about 3 degrees on the EMS-98.

On 15 October at 07:11 CEST, a series of earthquakes began in Vorarlberg with 24 registered earthquakes, five of which were felt by the population. The epicentres were located a few kilometres northwest of Wald am Arlberg (47.16°N, 10.00°E). The first quake had a magnitude of 2.5 and was felt by a few people with an intensity of 3 degrees (EMS-98). The main earthquake with a magnitude of 3.0 followed on 16 October at 03:15 a.m. Many people woke up from their sleep and felt significant tremors. Buildings were shaken and furniture moved. The earthquake service received 62 reports from 18 locations between Klösterle and Rankweil. The epicentre intensity reached 4 degrees on the EMS-98. Three equally strong aftershocks with a magnitude of 2.2 followed in the days that followed; they were felt particularly weakly in Dalaas, but also in some other places near the epicentre with an intensity of 3 degrees (EMS-98). They occurred on 18 October at 04:24, on 22 October at 18:37 and on 23 October at 18:36.

East of Jenbach, Tyrol (47.39°N, 11.83°E) was the epicentre of a magnitude 2.7 earthquake that occurred on 28 October at 21:54 CET and was felt by numerous people up to a distance of around 30 km. The focal depth was relatively large at around 14 km and the intensity in the epicentre area was 3 to 4 degrees on the EMS-98.

At 05:29 CET on 30 October, a magnitude 2.5 earthquake occurred north of Gschnitz, Tyrol (47.09°N, 11.36°E), which was faintly felt by some people. A tremor was observed and objects moved slightly. The intensity was 3 degrees (EMS-98).

This was followed on 31 October at 20:19 CET by another and stronger earthquake north of Gschnitz, Tyrol (47.10°N, 11.36°E). With a magnitude of 3.6, it was clearly felt by many people in the epicentre area. According to some reports, furniture shook or creaked, glasses rattled and occasionally smaller objects also moved. The intensity was provisionally at least 4 degrees (EMS-98).

The Austrian Seismological Service would like to thank the population for their perception reports, which were used to determine the intensity of the earthquakes.

Extract from short form of the 12-stage European Macroseismic Scale 1998, based on Mercalli-Sieberg

• 2 degree: scarcely felt: Vibration is felt only by individual people at rest in houses, especially on upper floors of buildings.
• 3 degree: Weak: The vibration is weak and is felt indoors by a few people. People at rest feel swaying or light trembling. Noticeable shaking of many objects.
• 4degree: Largely observed: The earthquake is felt indoors by many people, outdoors by few. A few people are awakened. The level of vibration is possibly frightening. Windows, doors and dishes rattle. Hanging objects swing. No damage to buildings.

Date / Universal time / M / Epicentre / Comment

01.10.2024 / 09:28 / 6.1 / Indonesia, Banda Sea / 6.00°S 124.92°E / Uninhabited marine region, quake centre at a depth of 580 km

01.10.2024 / 20:05 / 6.6 / Tonga, Offshore / 19.29°S 173.00°W / Uninhabited marine region

12.10.2024 / 17:43 / 6.2 / Costa Rica, offshore west coast / 10.49°N 86.17°W / No damage

16.10.2024 / 07:46 / 6.0 Turkey, 18 km west of Doganyol / 38.31°N 38.83°E / Some damage

30.10.2024 / 20:15 / 6.0 Pacific, 280 km off the coast of Oregon USA / 43.54°N 127.80°W / Uninhabited marine region

Time - Earthquake time in Universal Time UTC or Greenwich Mean Time GMT / M - Magnitude (logarithmic energy measure) / The coordinates of the world earthquakes are from USGS / Data without guarantee

Seismological Service of Austria - GeoSphere Austria Hohe Warte 38, A-1190 Vienna Tel. +43 1 36026 2508 E-mail: seismo@zamg.ac.at

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)