Shallow M5.4 Earthquake hit near Nikšić in Montenegro on Thursday Night.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on March 14th, 2024. Last updated April 28th, 2024.

A shallow and significant M5.4 earthquake struck under land 29 kilometer from Nikšić in Montenegro in the night of Thursday March 14th, 2024. Around 10 million people have been exposed to shaking. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Albania, Serbia, North Macedonia and Italy are also near its epicenter.

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Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Montenegro, 29 kilometer (18 mi) northwest of Nikšić in Opština Nikšić. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 17 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Mar 14, 2024 04:06 (Podgorica Time) - Mar 14, 2024 03:06 Universal Time.
Location:	29 km NW of Nikšić, Opština Nikšić, Montenegro. Coordinates 42°57'26"N 18°41'43"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.4 Detected by 77 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.035 .
Depth:	17 km (11 mi) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	VII Very Strong On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Tsunami very unlikely While this was a shallow earthquake, it appears to have occurred under land with a magnitude not strong enough to cause tsunami's. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Minimal impact predicted

Based on scientific estimates by the US Geographic Survey (USGS), the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities, and a 96% chance that the number of fatalities falls no higher than 10.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 96% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls no higher than 10 million USD.

Roughly 10 million people exposed to shaking

This earthquake may have been felt by around 10 million people. That is the expected population size of the area exposed to a level of shaking of II or higher on the Modified Mercalli scale according to the USGS.

Strong shaking and probably light damage may have been experienced by an estimated 1,750 people. At VI, it is the highest MMI level this earthquake has caused. Intensity level III was experienced by the majority of people (around 8 million). In their region, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected.

People in 7 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Bosnia and Herzegovina , around 2.6 million people, with impact levels up to VI (strong shaking, probably light damage). Roughly 620 thousand people were exposed to shaking in Montenegro . In Serbia , around 3.8 million people. In Croatia, Albania, North Macedonia and Italy, a smaller number of people were exposed.

Nearby towns and cities

8 countries can be found within 300km of the epicenter of this earthquake: Montenegro , Bosnia and Herzegovina , Croatia , Albania , Serbia , North Macedonia and Italy .

Nikšić in Opština Nikšić, Montenegro is the nearest significant place from the epicenter. The earthquake occurred 29 kilometer (18 mi) northwest of Nikšić. Nikšić experienced an earthquake intensity (MMI Scale) of roughly V. That level implies moderate shaking and very light damage.

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Sarajevo is located 103 km to the north-northwest and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Belgrade is located 250 km to the north-east (intensity unknown, possibly low). Podgorica is located 74 km to the south-east and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage).

The table below provides an overview of all places in proximity of today's earthquake. Where available, the estimated intensity on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale in each place is included. Places where this information is omitted likely experienced little impact.

Overview of nearby places

Earthquake Intensity Map

The intensity in shaking and damage by this earthquake is illustrated through the map below. The highest intensity measured for this earthquake is VI.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Shaking reported by 242 people in 7 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 242 people have reported shaking in 52 places in 7 countries (Serbia and Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Italy, Macedonia, Croatia).We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

• Podgorica, Montenegro, Serbia and Montenegro: 56 people.
• Čilipi, Dubrovnik-Neretva, Croatia: 34 people.
• Kobilja Glava, Federacija Bosna i Hercegovina, Bosnia and Herzegovina: 15 people.
• Nikšić, Montenegro, Serbia and Montenegro: 15 people.
• Sarajevo, Federacija Bosna i Hercegovina, Bosnia and Herzegovina: 14 people.
• Tirana, Tirana, Albania: 10 people.
• Ulcinj, Montenegro, Serbia and Montenegro: 7 people.
• Split, Split-Dalmacija, Croatia: 7 people.
• Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik-Neretva, Croatia: 7 people.
• Skopje, Skopje, Macedonia: 6 people.

20 Aftershocks detected

This main shock was followed by 20 smaller aftershocks. At a distance of 6 km (4 mi) northwest of this earthquake, an aftershock struck 2 days later. It measured a magnitude of 3.5

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

More earthquakes coming?

Aftershocks are usually at least 1 order of magnitude less strong than main shocks. The more time passes, the smaller the chance and likely strength of any potential aftershocks.

In only six percent of cases, significant earthquakes are followed by a larger main shock, making the current earthquake a foreshock. While the chance of this happening is not so large, it is adviced to maintain cautiousness in the hours and days following a major earthquake.

Earthquakes like this are common in the region

Earthquakes of this strength occur quite regularly in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since April 22nd, 2022, when a 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit 44 km (27 mi) further west-northwest. An even stronger magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck on November 26th, 2019.

In total, 5 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.4 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every 2 years.

Tsunami very unlikely

While MAG-6.5+ earthquakes may cause tsunami's, it appears that the epicenter of this earthquake hit under land. In addition, the reported depth is deeper than 100km, making the risk of a tsunami even less likely. However always stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Sources

Last updated 28/04/24 09:38 (). As more information on this earthquake becomes available this article will be updated. This article is automatically composed based on data originating from multiple sources.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us6000mirj
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20240314_0000026
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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