Update : 3 fracking concessions have been granted in the greater Albaceite area, one in . Fracking in seismically active areas can increase or lubricate faults like in Oklahoma USA when waste water is re-injected in the underground. Fracking is a very contested practice in seismic areas. The depth of the hypocenter (breaking point) refers however to a non-fracking earthquake.

Update : We have reports of slights damage in many houses in a wide area, mostly cracks in walls

Update 17:47 UTC : A great source to follow all details of the post-earthquake findings is http://www.abc.es/sociedad/20150223/abci-terremoto-directo-201502231738.html  We encourage our readers to use it if you understand Spanish and want to be updated.

Update 17:40 UTC : The Spanish newspaper El Mundo reports that today’s earthquake happened along the same fault that triggered the deadly Lorca earthquake, which does not prove to be true based on the faulting map below. There are however a number of known faults as can be seen.

Update 17:31 UTC : En Ossa de Montiel algunas tejas de casas se han caído, con peligro para los habitantes de esas casas y para las personas que pasaban por la calle en esos momentos. (source : albeceteabierto.es) – Translation : falling tiles, people are now on the streets

Update 17:20 UTC : IGN (Spain) has now lowered the Magnitude from an initial M5.4 to M5.2

Update 17:13 UTC : shaking intensity map as generated by EMSC

Update 17:00 UTC : Map with epicenter as reported buy IGN Spain

Update 16:50 UTC : Especially the villages Ossa de Montiel and Ruidera are locations were damage may be possible. Brick houses are very vulnerable for cracks.

Update 16:49 UTC : Based on our Social Media searches, several people are currently reporting cracks in walls.

Update 16:47 UTC : Based on the satellite image below there might have been an interaction in between a fault and the lubrication of the nearby reservoir, something which happens regularly in other parts of the world. Scientific study will be needed to find out what triggered this earthquake.

Update 16:43 UTC : IGN Spain is now mentioning a M5.4 Magnitude

Update 16:40 UTC : Initial reports are reporting a depth varying from 10 to 23 km. The fact that this earthquake was femt in a relatively large area may explain that the 23 km is right.

163 km SE of Madrid, Spain / pop: 3,255,944 / local time: 17:16:30.6 2015-02-23
133 km SE of Toledo, Spain / pop: 82,291 / local time: 17:16:30.6 2015-02-23
83 km W of Albacete, Spain / pop: 169,716 / local time: 17:16:30.6 2015-02-23
20 km E of Tomelloso, Spain / pop: 38,095 / local time: 17:16:30.6 2015-02-23