Skip to main content
Home

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
earthquakes
gas drilling
Groningen
Huizinge
Minister Henk Kamp
NAM
Richter scale
SODM
Wim Meijer
Wednesday, 27 November 2013 - 04:31
Share this:
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
  • reddit

Chance of heavier earthquakes

The earthquakes in Groningen can become more powerful than they have been until now. The authorities concerned, don't rule out the possibility of earthquakes with a magnitude between 4.5 and 6.0 on the Richter scale, in the future. Email communications between the Dutch Petroleum Company (NAM), the State Supervision of Mines (SODM), and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, revealed to NOS that they count on heavier earthquakes. However, nothing is certain, because it depends on the amount of gas, removed from the Groningen field. Loppersum_molen
Willemjans
Wikimedia commons SODM advised Minister Kamp of Economic Affairs in January, to decrease gas extraction as soon as realistically possible. The authorities involved, discussed that option after the earthquake in Huizinge in August last year. That quake had a force of 3.6 on the Richter scale. Until then, 3.9 on the Richter scale was the most that was taken into account. President Wim Meijer from the committee that advises on regaining the trust of the population in Groningen in gas drilling, wants an investigation into the past decision-making. The NAM seems to have lacked transparency in the risks of earthquakes, according to Meijer. From 2000, production increased gradually, as did the number of earthquakes. Since 2009, all parties recognize there is a correlation between gas drilling and the earthquakes.

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • Record number of entries to represent Netherlands in Eurovision 2024
  • Speaking (in Dutch) about bikes & the weather: The Delft Method at NedLes
  • Twente solar car damaged ahead of World Solar Challenge race in Australia
  • New center-left coalition in The Hague presents its plans
  • Man sentenced to 5 years in prison for sextortion of dozens of underage girls
  • Sustainability plans for Amsterdam flats faltering over homeowner association fights

Top stories

  • Suspect in Rotterdam killings arraigned Wednesday; Was to be evicted before shootings
  • Gov't to compensate 3,000 families around Schiphol for noise pollution
  • Gender wage gap increases to 7.4% in Netherlands
  • Amsterdam preparing to lower speed limit to 30 kilometers per hour
  • Over €100,000 raised for Rotterdam shooting victims
  • RKC goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen regains consciousness after on-field collapse

© 2012-2023, NL Times, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Partner content