An earthquake registering 2.8 on the Richter scale shook northern Groningen in the early hours of Friday, the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) confirmed. The tremor was recorded at 1:52 am local time near the village of Loppersum, at a depth of approximately 3 km.
Seismic tremor reverberates across communities
Monitoring stations detected ground shaking in Loppersum, Middelstum and Appingedam, among other towns. Although no injuries or serious damage have been reported, residents awoke to rattling windows, swaying chandeliers and trembling doors.
Residents share their experiences
- “I felt the bed vibrate and heard a deep rumble,” said a resident of Loppersum.
- “Our kitchen cabinets rattled so hard I rushed downstairs,” reported a Middelstum homeowner.
- More than 200 calls flooded into local emergency services within an hour of the quake.
Link to Groningen gas extraction
Experts attribute the tremor to induced seismicity caused by decades of gas extraction from the Groningen field—Europe’s largest onshore gas reservoir. Since production began in the 1960s, nearly 1,500 quakes have been recorded in the area, leading to widespread concern over structural safety and community well-being.
Official response and future outlook
The State Supervision of Mines (SSM) has opened an investigation into the incident. NAM, Shell and ExxonMobil—the joint operators of the gas field—expressed regret over the disturbance and reiterated their commitment to reducing seismic risks through lowered production volumes.
Regional leaders and residents are renewing calls for an accelerated phase-out of Groningen gas extraction ahead of the current 2030 deadline. “Our communities deserve lasting security,” stated Marianne Schuurman, mayor of Eemsdelta. “We urge decisive action to prevent further earthquakes.”