Earthquakes of 2.6 and 4 on the Richter scale in Granada and Navarra

TWO earthquakes at opposite ends of mainland Spain within hours of each other caused widespread panic yesterday.

The first was in Dívar (Granada) at 13.38hrs and was felt in and around the city including in the towns of Ogíjares and Churriana de la Vega.

Although it only measured 2.6 on the Richter scale, which is relatively light and rarely causes any damage – being roughly the same intensity as a heavy lorry driving past – due to the fact it was so close to the surface, numerous residents felt it for at least three seconds and rang the emergency line, 112.

But no injuries and no serious property damage was recorded.

Up north, in the border region of Navarra exactly three hours and 40 minutes later, a tremor measuring 4 on the Richter scale with its epicentre in Salinas de Pamplona (pictured) was felt for several seconds throughout the region, including in the city of Pamplona.

Between February 14 and April 14 this year, a total of 119 earthquakes of over 1.5 on the Richter scale have hit the Navarra region, particularly in the Sierra del Perdón mountain range and in the Valle de Etxauri.

The most severe of these so far was in Etxauri on March 23, measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale.