BREAKING: Minor Earth Tremor Felt in Siaya Wednesday Night

Siaya County experienced a minor Earth Tremor on Wednesday night.

Although the tremor could not be above magnitude 4 on the Richter scale it was forceful enough to rattle mabatis used for roofing.

We have not consulted the meteorological department yet but we’ve had confirmation from residents in different parts of Siaya including those who live along water masses of Lakes Victoria and Kanyaboli.

Earth tremors of a mild magnitude on the Richter scale are common in the Lakeland region.

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The tremor on Wednesday evening lasted close to three seconds (21:17 pm local time).

Kenya has never experienced a major earthquake although history indicates that in 1928 along Subukia area of the Rift Valley an earthquake of magnitude 6 was experienced.

Earthquakes occur during the movement of seismic or tectonic plates. Tectonic plates aren’t connected but are close together. Where they meet along their edges is called a fault. When heat from the Earth’s core creates currents in the crust, the tectonic plates can scrape, bump, or drag along each other. This is what causes an earthquake—and why the surface sometimes cracks like an eggshell.