Earthquake of magnitude 2.8 hits Zandeweer in Groningen

A magnitude 2.8 earthquake occurred in the early hours of Friday near the village of Zandeweer in the Het Hogeland municipality, Groningen. The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) reported the epicenter was located near Zandeweer and Rottum at a depth of 3 kilometers.

The KNMI classified the event as an “induced earthquake,” meaning it was caused by gas extraction activities. Residents in nearby villages, including Uithuizen, Kantens, Rottum, and Middelstum, reported feeling the tremors, with some describing houses shaking and creaking.

While large-scale extraction from the main Groningen gas field was halted in April 2024, smaller gas fields in the region are permitted to operate until the end of 2032. Although the frequency of seismic activity is decreasing, experts note that induced earthquakes can continue for decades. This event is the strongest in the area since a magnitude 3.0 earthquake occurred at the Eleveld gas field in Drenthe in March.