Minister of National Infrastructures Benjamin Ben-Eliezer has warned that the recent seismic activity in Lebanon could be a signal that Israel is about to be hit by a devastating earthquake. Speaking at yesterday's cabinet meeting, Ben-Eliezer briefed ministers on the tremors that have affected South Lebanon in recent weeks, and said that since February the region had been experiencing irregular seismic activity in an area ten to 15 kilometers west of Metula and Kiryat Shmona, and 20 kilometers east of the Lebanese city of Tyre.
"The seismic history of South Lebanon is similar to the earthquake in 1956 which registered 6 on the Richter scale, and which caused 160 fatalities and damage to 6,000 buildings," said Ben-Eliezer, adding that until 2008, seismic activity in the region was minimal, and that since February 15, South Lebanon had been hit by more than 500 tremors in three waves. The latest of these began ten days ago, and consisted of seven tremors which were felt by residents in the Galilee region (principally those in the Western Galilee).
"There is a possibility, low, but not negligible and while we cannot quantify the actual probability of it happening, the current activity in South Lebanon shows that there is an increasing chance that a devastating earthquake could strike," said Ben Eliezer.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on June 23, 2008
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