Earthquake strikes British expat haven on Spain’s Costa Blanca – but did YOU feel it?

A small earthquake rippled through the Costa Blanca region in the early hours of Tuesday, it has emerged.

The epicentre of the tremor, measuring 2.1 on the Richter scale, was three kilometres deep and slightly southeast the town of Algorfa.

The area is massively popular with British expats and is a short drive from Orihuela Costa, where a majority of residents are Brits and other non-Spaniards.

Though minor, the quake is part of a familiar pattern in this seismically active corner of southern Spain.

According to MeteOrihuela, Vega Baja sits along the fault lines shaped by the slow-motion collision of the Eurasian and African tectonic plates, making small tremors almost routine.

On March 21, 1829, a devastating earthquake struck in Torrevieja, killing almost a thousand people.

To this day, Almoradi marks the date with prayers to San Emigdio, the patron saint invoked against earthquakes.

Last month, the town opened the Earthquake Museum, which includes an immersive experience set inside one of the few buildings that survived the destruction.

The Vega Baja region continues to see dozens of quakes each year, with some being felt by residents.

Read more Spain news at the Spanish Eye.