An earthquake of magnitude 4.2 occurred in the afternoon on Sunday 3 January 2021 at 5:17 pm local time near Doğanyol, Malatya, Turkey, as reported by the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC).
According to preliminary data, the quake was located at a very shallow depth of 5 km. Shallow earthquakes are felt more strongly than deeper ones as they are closer to the surface. The exact magnitude, epicenter, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their report.
Our monitoring service identified a second report from the Kandilli Oservatory and Earthquake Research Institute in Istanbul (KOERI-RETMC) which listed the quake at magnitude 4.2 as well.
Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake was probably felt by many people in the area of the epicenter. It should not have caused significant damage, other than objects falling from shelves, broken windows, etc.
In Doğanyol (pop. 6,300) located 10 km from the epicenter, the quake should have been felt as light shaking.
Weak shaking might have been felt in Sivrice (pop. 5,500) located 21 km from the epicenter, Çüngüş (pop. 5,100) 27 km away, Baskil (pop. 15,900) 30 km away, Elâzığ (pop. 298,000) 34 km away, and Çermik (pop. 21,000) 43 km away.
Other towns or cities near the epicenter where the quake might have been felt as very weak shaking include Ergani (pop. 52,700) located 60 km from the epicenter, and Malatya (pop. 441,800) 67 km away.
Source : Volcano Discovery
