Following a minor earthquake in Donegal last week, experts are saying that Ireland is also now susceptible to tsunamis.
According to Journal.ie, the Irish National Seismic Network (INSN) has said that earthquakes “happen continually” in Ireland and that tsunamis are “quite possible.”
On November 1, 1755, the Great Lisbon Earthquake was felt in Cork. Two-and-a-half-hours later a tsunami engulfed the coast of Cork.
There are now two areas in Ireland where major faulting occurs – Donegal and Wexford, claims Tom Blake, the director of the organization.
Last week’s earthquake in Donegal measured 2.2 on the Richter Scale, which Blake advised was “normal” in terms of seismicity in the area.
More powerful earthquakes have been experienced in the Irish Sea with bangs measuring about magnitude 5 being relatively common. On 19 July 1984, an earthquake hitting 5.4 on the Richter Scale hit the Irish Sea causing some structural damage on the east coast.
Blake said this can be expected to happen every 25 to 30 years, but added that no seismologist in the world can accurately predict quakes.
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