EARTHQUAKE: Some residents were awakened by the tremors that occurred around 8:45 Thursday morning.The epicenter is located between La Rochelle and Rochefort ….
An earthquake shook western France on Thursday morning. 8 to 45 pm, tremors were felt in Charente-Maritime, between La Rochelle and Rochefort, and even until Vendée further north. The land would also have trembled around Nantes and Angers. According to the National Seismic Monitoring Network (ReNaSS), the earthquake was 5 magnitude and its epicenter is located between La Rochelle and Rochefort.
Séisme important confirmé en Charente-Maritime ce matin près de Rochefort, magnitude estimée : 5 ! https://t.co/I4GvmpeniV
— Climat-Vendée (@ClimatVendee) April 28, 2016
“I was awake but in bed, says Arnaud, living in La Rochelle. I felt that it was vibrating gradually becoming stronger with the objects in the kitchen shaking. It lasted 20 to 25 seconds. It was not very strong, but it was heartfelt anyway. ”
Le tremblement de Terre qui fait flipper ????
— – Zouzou ´ (@LaurineThin) April 28, 2016
South West cites a resident of Angoulins, Charente-Maritime, which saw chunks of the ceiling collapsed following the quake. The extent of damage is not yet known.
The Charente-Maritime is known for its seismic activity, usually more on the side of the island of Oleron, told AFP Sophie Lambotte, seismologist at ReNaSS, located in Strasbourg.
“Magnitude 5, it is already a major earthquake, we do not so frequently as that, it takes a bit unconventional,” she said.
According to seismologist, an earthquake with a magnitude greater than 5 was recorded on the side of the island of Oleron in 1972, and another around 4.5 in 2005. A significant seismic activity is also known more north, near Fontenay-le-Comte in the Vendée region.
