MET Office receives reports of a ‘tremble’ in central Lhaviyani atoll

Maldives Meteorological Service (MET Office) has confirmed reports of a ‘tremble’ in central Lhaviyani atoll.

Residents of Hinnavaru, Komandoo and Felivaru islands, as well as Kurehdhoo Resort and Huruvalhi Resorts, are reported to have felt the trembles at sunrise on Tuesday.

MET Office’s seismologist Ibrahim Umaid told RaajjeMV that they have been receiving reports of a tremble in Lhaviyani atoll, highlighting that they are examining the matter.

However, he noted that their systems do not show any signs of an earthquake striking the Maldives.

There are two seismometers placed in the Maldives currently, in Hanimaadhoo island of Haa Dhaalu atoll and Kaadehdhoo island of Gaafu Dhaalu atoll. A seismometer measures the motion of the ground and is used to detect and record earthquakes.

Hinnavaru island council member Firaz Ismail told RaajjeMV that some of its residents have reported the ground trembling, but noted that a number of people were asleep at the time.

UPDATE: In a statement issued later on Tuesday, MET Office reads "We have received reports of ground shakes from some islands of Lhaviyani atoll, this morning around 0640hrs. Current records of our seismometers do not show any earthquake activity in Maldives area. These shakes are likely to be caused by localized minor land disturbances and are not likely to cause any severe impacts. We are further analyzing the event with the records of other seismometers in the region".