A minor earthquake of magnitude 0.9 was detected near Culdaff, Donegal, at 1:18 AM, as confirmed by seismometers at St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar. Teacher Brendan O’Donoghue shared this news via Twitter, highlighting the school’s role in the global Seismology in Schools project, where students monitor seismic activities. Such minor tremors are usually not felt by people in the area.
A minor earthquake measuring 0.9 on the Richter Scale was recorded in the vicinity of Culdaff, County Donegal, in the early hours of Tuesday morning, specifically at 1:18 AM. This seismic activity was detected by the seismometer monitors located at St. Columba’s College in Stranorlar. Brendan O’Donoghue, a teacher at the college, reported on Twitter: “DL02 & R0392 seismometers of St Columba’s College, Stranorlar, both recorded last night’s earthquake near Culdaff, Co. Donegal (magnitude 0.9).” Notably, St. Columba’s College is engaged in the global Seismology in Schools initiative, which enables students to collect data on seismic events. The institution regularly monitors earthquake occurrences, including a previous event in May near Ballybofey and tremors stemming from a severe earthquake that affected Taiwan in April. It is pertinent to note that tremors of magnitude 0.9 generally go unnoticed by the local populace.
Seismic activity is not uncommon in various regions, including parts of Ireland. The measurement of earthquakes is typically conducted using seismometers, which are sensitive instruments that detect ground motions caused by seismic waves. Educational institutions like St. Columba’s College play a pivotal role in fostering awareness of geological phenomena through initiatives such as the Seismology in Schools project, which combines education and real-time monitoring of earthquakes to engage students in scientific exploration. Ireland, although not as earthquake-prone as other areas of the world, has experienced tremors, thus highlighting the need for consistent monitoring and education regarding such natural occurrences.
In summary, the recent seismic event recorded in Culdaff, Donegal, illustrates both the occurrence of minor earthquakes in the region and the educational initiatives employed to monitor seismic activity. The involvement of St. Columba’s College in such projects underscores the importance of education in understanding geological events, even those that are minor and typically imperceptible to the human senses.
Original Source: www.derryjournal.com