Earthquake off west Cork coast considered significant

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Earthquake off west Cork coast considered significant

St Colman’s College, Fermoy is one of only six Cork schools who regularly monitor seismic activity on a seismograph situated in the school.

Saturday, 14 December 2013
7:45 AM GMT



The earthquake monitoring group attached to St Colman's College in Fermoy have confirmed the seismic activity of an earthquake which occurred off the Cork coast last Wednesday morning, December 4.

It was an unusual event, in that it is the first known seismic event of its kind to be recorded in the region since Irish records began in 1978. The magnitude, at 2.6, is also very interesting from a seismological point of view.

Although the activity was not immediately recorded in the college, the data was received back from other monitoring stations of the Irish National Seismic Network (INSN).

Sensors on Valentia in Kerry, Dublin, Wexford and British Geological Survey stations throughout Wales recorded the earthquake at 7.57am, the epicentre of which is believed to be under the Celtic sea about 25km south of Courtmacsherry off the west Cork coast.

St Colman’s College, Fermoy is one of only six Cork schools who regularly monitor seismic activity on a seismograph situated in the school. This is done as part of the 'Seismology in Schools' project. Teacher Jimmy Condon is coordinator.

Earthquakes around Ireland are usually at a magnitude of about 1.5 or 1.8 so last week's event was considered particularly significant.



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