Iberianature » Murcia

Deadly earthquake hits Lorca, Murcia

nick — Wed, 11 May 2011 20:23:35 +0000

Rather sad news, Two earthquakes with magnitudes of 5.1 and 4.5 have hit the centre of the Murcian town of Lorca, killing at least ten people, after several buildings collapsed. Although minor tremors are relatively common in south-east Spain, this the first time since 1956 that so many people have been killed. Almost 200 soldiers have been dispatched to the area.

El País
BBC
More on the history of earthquakes in Spain

American Belted kingfisher in El Mar Menor

nick — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:40:19 +0000

It’s amazing the things which turn up: an American Belted kingfisher in the Mar Menor, Murcia. It was probably brought over by storms in the Atlantic. This is the first record for Spain and Southern Europe. Spotted and photo by Antonio Jesús Hernández. More from the most excellent Rarebirdspain.net

Madness in La Manga

nick — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:42:32 +0000

A series of excellent posts by Jill et al on the forum with some amazing photos of coastal erosion in La Manga where they are building houses right on the beach. She notes “Why does anybody buy into these projects? It seems to me that it is 50 percent grab-it-while-you-can-(and-hope-to-leave-the-next-fellow-holding-the-hot-potato) and 50 percent mass credulity.” (Forum)

Murcia shark closes beaches

nick — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 09:05:53 +0000

Several beaches in La Manga, Murica, have been closed after bathers spotted a shark – apparantly shortfin mako shark (marrajo, Isurus oxyrinchus). This is despite calls for calm from Murcian shark experts who note that the mako is not dangerous (La Verdad). Let us hope this does not have the same lamentable ending as this month’s shark in Valencia. The mako is now considered endangered as it is a favourite catch among commercial and recreational fishermen. See also sharks in Spain