Magnitude 4.4 Earthquake Struck 14 km S of Samokov, Bulgaria on December 30, 2019 18:01:41
Last Updated: 2020-03-14 22:23:06On December 30, 2019 18:01:41 an earthquake with magnitude of 4.4 on the richter scale hit 14 km S of Samokov, Bulgaria. The earthquake originated at a depth of approximately 10.0 kilometers below the Earth's surface on longitude 23.584° and latitude 42.213°. According to documented reports 62 people felt the earth quake, No tsunami was triggered due to the earthquake.
Magnitude & Depth
The earthquake that appeared on December 30, 2019 18:01:41 had a magnitude of 4.4 on the richter scale. Which is considered to be a minor earthquake and is often felt but causes little to no damage.
Shallow earthquakes are considered between 0 and 70 km deep, while intermediate earthquakes range from 70 - 300 km deep and deep earthquakes are between 300 - 700 km deep.
Are shallow earthquakes more destructive?
Shallow quakes generally tend to be more damaging than deeper quakes. Seismic waves from deep quakes have to travel farther to the surface, losing energy along the way.
Nearby Cities and Towns
The nearest significant population center is Obshtina Samokov in Sofia Province, Bulgaria, located 13 kilometers or 8 miles ↖ NW of the earthquake's epicenter. Other cities in close proximity include Samokov (Sofia Province, Bulgaria) located 14 km (8 mi) ↖ NW and Dolna Banya (Sofia Province, Bulgaria) located 17 km (11 mi) ↗ NE of the epicenter.
In total, we found 68 cities in our database that might have been impacted by the earthquake.
Nearby Power Plants
We found a total 5 utility-scale power plants in the vecinity of the earthquakes epicenter. The closest being PSBELMEKEN Hydro power plant, located 22 kilometers (14 miles) → E from the epicenter.
| Distance | Direction | Power Plant | Type | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 km (14 mi) | → E | PSBELMEKEN | Hydro | 375.0 MW |
| 45 km (28 mi) | ← W | Bobov Dol power station | Coal | 630.0 MW |
| 60 km (37 mi) | ↖ NW | Republika power station | Coal | 105.0 MW |
| 114 km (71 mi) | ↖ NW | Vratsa | Solar | 18.0 MW |
| 114 km (71 mi) | ↖ NW | Vratsa N | Solar | 5.0 MW |
Power Plants & Risks During Earthquakes
We found 3 types of power plants in the vecinity of the magnitude 4.4 earthquake that struck 14 km S of Samokov, Bulgaria on December 30, 2019 18:01:41. These types were Solar power plants, Coal power plants, Hydro power plants, below you find information how each type of power plant can pose a risk to you as a person or the ecosytem around you.
None of this information should be used as guidence in an event of an emergency, but rather as additional references to information provided by national, state and local authorities.Hydropower
Hydropower plants are generally considered as safe in many aspects, but when it comes to severe earthquakes they pose a substantial risk that can manifest in the form of dam faliours, landslides and grave impacts on surrounding ecosystems.
Dam Failure
The most significant risk is the potential failure of the dam that holds the water reservoir. Severe ground shaking can damage or breach the dam, leading to downstream flooding and as a result endangering people and wildlife living downstream. Such an event can also have severe impact on key infrastructure that cascades through society.
Landslides
Earthquakes can trigger landslides in the areas surrounding hydropower plants, potentially damaging infrastructure and causing harm to nearby communities.
Damage to Aquatic Ecosystems
Both landslide and dam failures can have a severe impact on upstream and downstream aquatic wildlife, ecosystem and groundwater, resulting in longterm risks for people and industires living and operating in areas near the water supply.
To mitigate these risks, engineering and construction standards for hydropower plants often include earthquake-resistant designs. These designs incorporate measures such as flexible foundations, strengthened dam structures, and advanced monitoring systems to detect early signs of stress. Additionally, emergency plans and evacuation procedures should be in place to protect personnel and downstream communities in the event of a severe earthquake.
Solar Power
Solar power plants generally pose fewer risks compared to conventional power plants that use fossil fuels or nuclear energy. However, they are not without their own set of potential risks and challenges. Below you can find some of the risks associated with solar power plants in an event of a severe earthquake.
Environmental Impact
The production of solar panels involves the use of various materials, including rare metals and chemicals. Severe earthquakes could potentially introduce these into the ecosystems of their location.
Fire Risk
Although the solar panels themselves are not typically a fire hazard, electrical components like inverters and batterises that store the electricity can pose a risk. Electrical malfunctions or faults can lead to fires, especially in poorly maintained systems in an event of a severe earthquake, and thus pose a longterm risk for the local ecosystem.
Overall, the mitigation of risks associated with utility-scale solar power plants involves a combination of technological advancements, sustainable practices, regulatory adherence, and ongoing monitoring and maintenance.
Data Information
Information found on this page is a derivative set, based on sources mentioned below.
Data Sources
We aggregate and combine data from USGS (United States Geographical Survey) and the EMSC (European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre). This allow us to get near real-time and historical earthquake data dating back to the year 1950.
Disclaimer
Information or data found on this page should not be used for, or as an early warning system. It is intended as an historical reference or near real-time complementary information to offical and governmental sources. In an event of an emergency it is important closely monitor and follow advice from national, state and local authorities.