Seismic movements intensify in eastern Romania

An earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale struck the Vrancea seismic zone in eastern Romania on Thursday, the National Institute for Earth Physics (INFP) announced. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 124 km, with the epicenter near Nehoiu town of Buzau County, some 150 km north-east of the capital city of Bucharest. Eight other seismic events took place in the region this week, among them a 5-magnitude one on Saturday, the largest earthquake recorded in the country this year. More than 50 felt earthquakes have taken place in Vrancea this year. The counties of Vrancea and Buzau are one of the most active seismic areas in Europe. It is known for its intermediate-depth (70-200 km) earthquakes, which can reach a magnitude of 7.0 to 7.8. In March 1977, a 7.6-magnitude earthquake killed 1,600 people in Romania and damaged 8,500 buildings.