Week three: Earthquakes

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 Week three: Earthquakes

As seen in the map below Belgium does not have high levels of seismic activity when compared to other tectonic plate boundaries like the Pacific Ring of Fire. Although Belgium does experience some seismic activity that is usually of a low magnitude and not very common to the area. Belgium is positioned within the Eurasian Plate which is far from any important plate boundaries where the tectonic activity is more intense. If you are a citizen of Belgium most of the time when there is a seismic event you wouldn't even feel it. According to the Royal Observatory of Belgium there were 267 earthquakes in 2021 which is staggeringly low to other countries in the world. 

The key point to remember is that there is little to no earthquakes in the country of Belgium so there is no reason to be scared. Despite this it is always important to remember the safety measures for earthquakes which are to drop, cover, and hold on. Drop meaning to drop to the ground than cover your head with a desk or some furniture while also holding onto that furniture.


Fun fact!

The country's geology has ancient fault lines and structures from previous tectonic plate movements. These faults sometimes create some seismic activity but are on a small scale.



Citations:

https://seismologie.be/en/research/seismology/macroseismology

https://www.astro.oma.be/en/seismic-activity-inaround-belgium-in-2021/#:~:text=In%202021%2C%20257%20earthquakes%20and,Belgium%20in%20or%20near%20Belgium.

https://www.dlubal.com/en/load-zones-for-snow-wind-earthquake/seismic-nbn-en-1998-1.html#&center=50.51117788799691,4.481612920761324&zoom=7&marker=50.85,4.35





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