Tel Aviv: A moderate earthquake measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale struck Israel on Thursday. The European–Mediterranean Seismological Centre reported that the epicentre was located near Dimona at a depth of approximately 10 kilometres. Officials confirmed that no damage or casualties have been reported so far.
An earthquake near Israel’s Dimona nuclear facility has set off a wave of nuclear rumours and security jitters, coming just as tensions between the United States, Iran and Israel are at their peak. The 4.2‑magnitude quake, felt in the Dead Sea area and the southern Negev,… pic.twitter.com/EnlvFQPsWY
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The tremors were felt in several cities, including Jerusalem and Beersheba. Following the quake, speculation spread on social media suggesting that the seismic activity was the result of a secret nuclear weapons test by the Israeli government.
Seismology experts, however, clarified that there is a distinct difference between natural earthquakes and vibrations caused by nuclear detonations. Nuclear tests typically produce seismograph readings with an immediate sharp peak, whereas the waves recorded in this event closely resembled those of a natural earthquake. This indicates that the tremor was naturally occurring and not linked to any nuclear activity.