Magnitude 3.7 earthquake shakes northern Almeria as second tremor hits offshore

Residents across northern Almeria were given a sudden late-evening fright on Thursday, August 13, when a magnitude 3.7 earthquake struck the Levante Almeriense.

The tremor was registered at around 8.53pm, with the epicentre initially reported between Cuevas del Almanzora and Zurgena. Later information placed the epicentre in the Zurgena area, at a relatively shallow depth.

Reports on social media quickly began appearing from residents who said they felt their homes shake. The movement was also noticed in several surrounding localities. At this stage, there have been no reports of injuries or structural damage linked to the earthquake.

✳️ TERREMOTO | Se acaba de registrar un terremoto de magnitud 3.7 entre Cuevas del Almanzora y Zurgena, al norte de Almería

📶 Magnitud: 3.7 mbLg
📍 Entre Cuevas y Zurgena
🕦 20:53, jueves 13 ago

🔴 Se habría sentido ampliamente en el Levante, ¿lo has notado? pic.twitter.com/OFEyZMKNYJ

— DatosAlmería 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (@DatosAlmeria) August 13, 2026

Second earthquake recorded out at sea

Concern was heightened when another earthquake was recorded shortly afterwards, this time offshore in the waters off the Almeria coast. The second tremor appears to have been a separate seismic event rather than simply part of the immediate activity around the Zurgena earthquake. Details of its final magnitude and exact location are still being established by seismic monitoring authorities.

Thursday’s activity comes in a province where earthquakes are not unusual. Almeria sits within one of Spain’s most seismically active areas because of the movement between the African and Eurasian tectonic plates.

Historical earthquakes have caused devastating damage in the province, although Thursday’s 3.7-magnitude event was far smaller than the major earthquakes recorded in previous centuries.

Residents await more information

Small earthquakes can be followed by weaker aftershocks, meaning seismic authorities will continue monitoring the area during the coming hours. Residents who felt the movement have been encouraged to report their experience through the Instituto Geografico Nacional’s earthquake reporting system, helping scientists build a clearer picture of how widely the tremor was felt.

Información sísmica sureste #PenínsulaIbérica. Al final de esta tarde (13/08/2026), a las 20:53 h, #terremoto de magnitud 3.7 a una profundidad de 4 km, con epicentro al sureste de #Zurgena (#Almería). Ha sido ampliamente sentido y a continuación se han registrado 9 réplicas. pic.twitter.com/MsSpxgVIBW

— MeteOrihuela (@MeteOrihuela) August 13, 2026

For now, the main message is one of reassurance. Euro Weekly News readers immediately took to social media to ask if everyone was OK, and if anyone needed help. However, no casualties or damage was reported following either of Thursday evening’s earthquakes, although residents across the Levante Almeriense will understandably be keeping an eye on developments.

The situation could change if further tremors are recorded or new reports of damage emerge, with seismic information continuing to be updated.