Beirut Earthquake: Residents report tremors on social media
Lebanon’s capital Beirut experienced a mild earthquake on Wednesday, which surprised residents and adds to the growing fear among scientists that a major quake is on the horizon.
#LEBANON (Jun29 #Beirut 16:45) Mild #earthquake felt by locals in Beirut, Sidon and Al Kharoub province.(MTV) #Libanon#Israel
— Beirut-Reporter (@beirutreporter) June 29, 2016
The #Earthquake was 4.0 Mc, 18 km SE of Beirut, 10 km SW of Bhamdoun, #Lebanon & 12KM deep. pic.twitter.com/qMwkBXd1iT
— Shant D (@ShantDotMe) June 29, 2016
The minor earthquake was felt in Mount Lebanon and Beirut on Wednesday at 4:25 p.m. local time, Naharnet reports. According to Bhannes National Center for Geophysical Research, the epicenter was in Mount Lebanon.
Did anyone else feel that? Earthquake in #Beirut?
— Malāk Jaafar (@malakyz) June 29, 2016
Did anyone feel the earthquake? #lebanon#beirut
— Nicole Khawand (@NicoleKhawand) June 29, 2016
@adammbaron Yep, my desk wobbled about.
— Evan Hill (@evanchill) June 29, 2016
The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said the quake measured 4.0 on the Richter scale.
I think #Beirut just had an earthquake. For about 6-8 seconds. My desk shook.
— Elana (@ElanaGulf) June 29, 2016
#earthquake in Beirut OMG who felt it?
— Serge El - Mir (@SergeElMir) June 29, 2016
Some social media users were unsure whether they felt the ground move, or if it was all in their head.
Earthquake in Beirut... didn't know that was possible, thought the IT guys were shaking the table
— Maria Sebas (@MariaSebas5) June 29, 2016
Others, however, claimed it was strong.
I was napping and it woke me up #Earthquake#Beirut was strong.
— Olive (@kevo_90) June 29, 2016
Some even posted evidence of the ‘damage’ caused.
EARTHQUAKE IN #BEIRUTpic.twitter.com/y64ggS0HDx
— محمود غزيّل (@ghazayel) June 29, 2016
PHOTO: Aftermath of #Beirut earthquake. pic.twitter.com/bCnJIltQet
— Hasan Shami (@ShamiHasan) June 29, 2016
Since an #earthquake was registered in #Beirut today, perhaps it would be advisable not to construct dams across the country? Just a thought
— Nadine Mazloum (@MazloumNadine) June 29, 2016
Scientists in Lebanon believe it’s only a matter of time before the country suffers a major earthquake due to its location along the Mount Lebanon Thrust Fold and the Yamouneh faults, which they believe could trigger a 7.5 magnitude quake.
Authorities in Beirut have been criticized in recent years for what's seen as a lack of preparedness for such an eventuality although the government has been working with the United Nations Development Programme to devise a disaster management plan.