Magnitude 2.7 Earthquake Hits Haenam; Meteorological Agency Urges Caution in Nearby Areas

[Financial News]  
A magnitude 2.7 earthquake struck Haenam County in Jeonnam-Gwangju in the early hours of the 31st. It came just two days after a magnitude 2.6 quake on the 29th. Since the 14th, the number of earthquakes of magnitude 2.0 or higher in the Haenam area has risen to 12.
According to the Korean Meteorological Administration, the quake occurred at 2:49:20 a.m. in an area 20 kilometers west-northwest of Haenam County. The epicenter was located at 34.66 degrees north latitude and 126.41 degrees east longitude, with a depth of 21 kilometers.
The maximum instrumental intensity was measured at level III in Jeonnam-Gwangju. Intensity III means people indoors, especially on upper floors of buildings, can clearly feel the shaking, and parked cars may sway slightly. The Korean Meteorological Administration said tremors may be felt in nearby areas and urged residents to remain cautious.
Haenam has seen repeated earthquakes of magnitude 2.0 or higher since the 14th. The sequence began with a magnitude 2.1 quake on the 14th, followed by 2.5 on the 15th, 2.2 and 2.4 on the 16th, 2.3 on the 21st, 2.7 on the 22nd, and 3.1 on the 23rd. Additional quakes were recorded on the 25th at 2.5, the 26th at 2.1, the 28th at 2.2, and the 29th at 2.6, before the magnitude 2.7 quake on this day.
On the 24th, MOIS held a meeting of experts and concluded that the latest series of earthquakes originated in the lower crust at a depth of about 20 kilometers. It also assessed that, like a similar sequence in the same area in 2020, the quakes are unlikely to lead to a major earthquake.
As a precaution, MOIS raised the earthquake crisis alert level to "Caution" and decided to strengthen monitoring.
[email protected] Lee Bo-mi Reporter