UPDATE: 17:10:
Peter Schmidt, a seismologist at the Swedish National Seismic Network (Svenska Nationella Seismiska Nätet) expressed skepticism towards the higher figure. Their own measurements consistently indicated a 2.9 magnitude quake.
– A magnitude 4 earthquake is exceptionally rare in Sweden, occurring perhaps once per decade, explained Schmidt.
– We've only ever recorded one earthquake larger, at a magnitude of 4.5.
The source of the Android Earthquake Alert system's higher magnitude is unclear. Schmidt suggests data limitations might be a factor.
– Foreign services may struggle with accurate location and magnitude readings when data availability is limited, he noted.
– Factors like distance and ground composition can also influence how strongly an earthquake is felt.
Adding to the complexity, different earthquake measurement methods exist. As Schmidt emphasizes:
– Using the wrong measurement method or magnitude scale can lead to misleading results.
Therefore, is the 4.3 magnitude reported by the Android Earthquake Alert system inaccurate?
– Yes, it's bullshit.
UPDATE: 15:20
– This is a significant earthquake for Sweden, Björn Lund of the Swedish National Seismic Network (Svenska Nationella Seismiska Nätet) said.
– We typically only experience earthquakes of this magnitude about once a year.
Norran readers described the effects of the small earthquake:
- Burträsk: "It was a big rumble and shook the windows and rattled the whole house."
- Bodbysund: "I was making a cup of tea and the cup wobbled and fell off the kitchen counter."
- Bjurträsk: "It was like a large excavator driving by the house."
UPDATE: 14:55:
The earthquake's epicentre was near Bureå and happened at 10.51 on Saturday.