Earthquakes

Magnitude 5+ Earthquakes - Global

5.1 Earthquake hits northern Algeria.

5.1 Earthquake hits off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia.

5.1 Earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.

5.0 Earthquake hits off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia.

A second 5.0 Earthquake hits off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia.

5.0 Earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.

5.0 Earthquake hits the Kermedec Islands.

Gas Extraction in the Netherlands Causes Earthquakes

As earthquakes become more intense and more frequent in the north of the Netherlands, there is mounting pressure on the government to reduce the amount of gas being extracted there. It is a curse for thousands of inhabitants of an area blessed with vast mineral wealth. Homes are crumbling as the country profits from the Groningen gas fields, the largest in Europe.

There exists a consensus among all parties - including the gas companies - that the process of extracting the gas is causing earthquakes, but the country is thriving on the proceeds. In 2012 the Dutch government made about 14bn euros (£12bn; $18bn) from the Groningen gas fields. Without these revenues, the Netherlands' deficit would be similar to that of crisis-struck Cyprus (6.3%).