Earthquake detected in Wilmington April 9

11:35 a.m., April 12, 2005--A minor earthquake occurred near the intersection of Foulk and Naamans roads in north Wilmington at 8:27 p.m., Saturday, April 9, according to the Delaware Geological Survey (DGS) at the University of Delaware. The earthquake had a magnitude of about 1.2. The event was recorded by the three northern stations of the DGS seismic network.

The temblor was the first in Delaware since a 1.7-magnitude quake in the Newark area on Aug. 13, 2003. A quake of magnitude 2.5 to 3 is the smallest generally felt by people.

The Delaware Geological Survey operates a five-station seismograph network in Delaware. Three stations are located in northern New Castle County, and one in Kent and Sussex counties.

Most earthquakes in northern Delaware have been too small to be felt, but are recorded by sensitive seismometers. The largest event in recent years was a 3.8 magnitude earthquake in Wilmington on Feb. 28, 1973.

If anyone felt or heard the most recent event, they are encouraged to call the DGS at (302) 831-1576 or complete an Earthquake Questionnaire on the DGS web site at [http://www.udel.edu/dgs/Geophysics/qkform.html].

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