Source link : https://europ.info/2026/08/29/moderate-magnitude-4-8-earthquake-strikes-near-longyearbyen-svalbard-on-march-18-1991/
A moderate earthquake measuring magnitude 4.8 struck 192 kilometers west-southwest of Longyearbyen, located in the Svalbard and Jan Mayen region, on Monday, March 18, 1991, at 3:26 pm local time (GMT +1). The seismic event was recorded and reported by Volcano Discovery, drawing attention to the geological activity in this remote Arctic area. While the tremor was strong enough to be noted by monitoring stations, there have been no immediate reports of damage or casualties. This incident highlights the ongoing seismic activity beneath the fragile polar environment.
Location and Impact Assessment of the Moderate Magnitude 4.8 Earthquake Near Longyearbyen
The earthquake registering a magnitude of 4.8 struck approximately 192 kilometers west-southwest of Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, at 03:26 pm local time (GMT +1) on Monday, March 18, 1991. This seismic event was notably felt in sparsely populated regions of the Arctic archipelago, prompting immediate monitoring by geological agencies. Despite its moderate magnitude, the earthquake’s remote location mitigated the potential for widespread damage to infrastructure or human casualties. Initial assessments focused on the quake’s origin within the tectonically complex zone influenced by the mid-Atlantic ridge system, reinforcing Svalbard’s ongoing susceptibility to geological activity due to its position along the Eurasian and North American plate boundary.
Impact analyses following the event revealed:
- No reported…
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Author : Victoria Jones
Publish date : 2026-08-29 01:19:00
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