"Didn’t expect it, but it was really an earthquake" Magnitude 2.5 earthquake strikes Dalseong-gun, Daegu at 5 AM

A magnitude 2.5 earthquake occurred in Daegu.
[Photo by Korea Meteorological Administration website capture]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seoyoung Kwon] An earthquake occurred in Dalseong-gun, Daegu, causing anxiety among citizens.

Dalseong-gun Office and Daegu Fire Safety Headquarters reported that as of 6 a.m. today (31st), more than 20 reports of felt earthquakes have been received. However, no casualties or property damage have been reported.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, at around 5:17 a.m. on the same day, an earthquake of magnitude 2.5 occurred 14 km south-southwest of Dalseong-gun, Daegu. The epicenter was located at 35.65 degrees north latitude and 128.4 degrees east longitude, with a depth of 22 km. The instrumental intensity indicating the shaking was recorded as a maximum of 3 in Daegu and Gyeongnam, 2 in Gyeongbuk, and 1 in other regions.

At instrumental intensity 3, people indoors, especially those on upper floors of buildings, can strongly feel the shaking. Also, stationary cars may shake slightly. Instrumental intensity 2 is felt only by a few people in quiet conditions or on upper floors, while instrumental intensity 1 is generally not felt by most people but is recorded by seismographs.

In response, Daegu residents expressed anxiety. Numerous posts reporting felt shaking appeared on various online communities and social networking services (SNS). Comments included, "I was sleeping at dawn when the floor and windows shook. Even the bed vibrated enough to wake me up," "While studying, my desk started shaking, and I thought it was nothing, but it really was an earthquake," and "The disaster alert message came about 30 minutes after the shaking was felt."

Additionally, netizens commented, "Fortunately, the earthquake's magnitude was relatively low and not dangerous," "Daegu residents must have been startled late at night. I hope no one was injured," and "The disaster alert message confused magnitude and intensity in its report. I hope more accurate information is provided to citizens."