The current epicenter area can be called as very unusual.
We have NO trace of any historic important earthquakes in the past.
For a lot of people it will be a unique experience.
EMSC reports a magnitude of 4.3 at a depth of 30 km (can be compared as the same intensity as USGS).
I Have Felt It reports
Haifa, Israel : I felt a light shaking from side to side at about 11:55 (GMT+2) on August 7 2011 in Haifa Israel (Light Shaking MMI IV indicated)
Netanya, Israel : I felt a light shaking, my chair swayed about 10 seconds. On Sunday, August 7, 2011. (Light Shaking MMI IV indicated)
Most important Earthquake Data:
Magnitude : 4.1 UTC Time : Sunday, August 07, 2011 at 08:52:25 UTC Local time at epicenter : Sunday, August 07, 2011 at 11:52:25 AM at epicenter Depth (Hypocenter) : 10 km Geo-location(s) : 71 km (44 miles) NW of Tel Aviv, Israel 80 km (49 miles) WSW of Haifa, Israel
There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all argument, and which cannot fail to keep man in everlasting ignorance. That principle is condemnation before investigation. ~ Edmund Spenser
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Aug 8, 2011 16:15:28 GMT -5
Here's more:
Rare Undersea Earthquake Rattles Israel
By Mark Dunphy - Sun Aug 07, 2:23 pm
Israel quake. Image Google Maps
A relatively rare, moderate earthquake struck near the coast of Israel and the Gaza Strip on Sunday, according to the Geophysical Institute of Israel (GII).
The 4.2 magnitude undersea tremor occurred at 10:52:25 AM local time and was recorded at a depth of 30km. The epicentre was located 71 km (44 miles) NW of Tel Aviv-Yafo, 80 km (49 miles) WSW of Haifa, 103 km (64 miles) WNW of Nablus, West Bank, and 125 km (77 miles) NW of Jerusalem.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS), meanwhile, said Sunday’s earthquake measured 4.1 magnitude and was measured at a shallow depth of 10km.
There have been around 25 quakes recorded in the region in the last 6 months, the majority of which have ranged between 2-4 on the Richter Scale. A 6.1 magnitude quake struck in the eastern Mediterranean, southwest of Cyprus, on April 1st last and was felt in coastal regions of Israel.
A number of fault lines divide the Middle-east. Israel is also located in a very unstable geological zone, the Great Rift. It is one of the longest rifts in the world. Stretching 6,000 km, it starts in northern Syria and ends in eastern Africa in central Mozambique. The Dead Sea Rift” (sometimes referred to as the Jordan Rift Valley) is located in modern-day Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian territories.
In May of this year Dr. Ron Avni, a geology professor at Ben Gurion University said that Israel must better prepare itself for a possible strong earthquake in the future. He suggested that legislation should implement the national planning guidelines for seismic strengthening of buildings across the country.