2019 Albania earthquake facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
2019 Albania earthquake

UTC time	2019-11-26 02:54:12
ISC event	616919407
USGS-ANSS	ComCat
Local date	26 November 2019
Local time	03:54:12 CET
Magnitude	6.4 Mw
Depth	20.0 km (12.4 mi)
Epicenter	41°31′16″N 19°33′32″E / 41.521°N 19.559°E / 41.521; 19.559
Type	Thrust
Max. intensity	IX (Violent)
Tsunami	No
Landslides	No
Foreshocks	-
Aftershocks	Four M≥5.0
Casualties	51 dead, 3000 injured

On November 26, 2019, a strong earthquake hit northwestern Albania. It had a magnitude of 6.4, which means it was very powerful. The earthquake happened at 3:54 AM local time.

The main point where the earthquake started, called the epicentre, was about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) west-southwest of a town called Mamurras. Many people felt the shaking. It was felt in Albania's capital, Tirana, and in nearby North Macedonia. People as far away as Taranto, Italy, and Belgrade, Serbia, also felt it.

Sadly, this earthquake caused a lot of damage. Fifty-one people lost their lives, and about 3,000 others were hurt. It was the strongest earthquake to hit Albania in 40 years.

What Happened During the Earthquake?

This earthquake was a major event for Albania. It was caused by a type of fault movement called a thrust fault. This means one part of the Earth's crust pushed over another.

The earthquake was very strong, reaching an intensity of IX (Violent) on the Mercalli intensity scale. This scale describes how much people feel an earthquake and how much damage it causes. A "Violent" rating means there was a lot of destruction.

Aftershocks and Their Impact

After the main earthquake, there were several smaller quakes called aftershocks. Four of these aftershocks were also quite strong, with magnitudes of 5.0 or more. These aftershocks can cause more damage to buildings already weakened by the main quake.

The earthquake did not cause a tsunami (a giant ocean wave) or large landslides. However, the shaking itself was enough to cause buildings to collapse.

Help and Recovery Efforts

After the earthquake, many countries and groups offered help to Albania. Rescue teams worked hard to find people trapped in collapsed buildings. They also helped those who were injured.

People whose homes were destroyed needed places to stay. Emergency tents were set up to provide shelter for families. Many organizations and other countries sent aid to help Albania recover from this natural disaster.

Leaders and Aid Teams

Albanian leaders, like Prime Minister Edi Rama and President Ilir Meta, worked with international teams. They met with officials from the European Union and rescue experts from countries like Israel, Turkey, and France.

These teams helped with search and rescue missions. They also helped manage the crisis and plan for rebuilding. It showed how countries can work together during tough times.

Images for kids

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  Location of epicentre and aftershocks in the first twenty days

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  USGS shakemap.

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  Edi Rama surveying earthquake damage with Israelis military rescue experts.

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  Blue and white coloured emergency tents for displaced people near stadium in Durrës

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  Turkish and French search and rescue teams coordinating efforts

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  Prime Minister Edi Rama converses with EU officials and members of crisis management team

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  President Ilir Meta awarding the IDF National Rescue Unit the Albanian Golden Medal of the Eagle in Israel.

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  Prime Minister Edi Rama converses with a displaced person

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  EU officials meeting displaced people

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  Members of the Albanian army involved in relief work

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  Emergency tents prepared for displaced people at the stadium in Durrës

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  Displaced people housed in emergency tents

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  Aerial view of collapsed building in Durrës

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  Aerial view of collapsed building in Durrës

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  Earthquake damage in Durrës

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  Search and rescue team from Italy working on a collapsed building

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  Search and rescue team from Romania working on a collapsed building

See also

In Spanish: Terremoto de Albania de 2019 para niños