Jerusalem - XINHUA
A minor earthquake measuring 3.6 on the Richter scale was felt throughout northern Israel on Sunday morning, the Geophysical Institution of Israel said. A spokesperson for the institution told Xinhua that the epicenter of the earthquake was in the Sea of Galilee and four kilometers deep underground. The earthquake was mainly felt in the towns of Tiberias, near the Sea of Galilee and Safed. This is the third minor quake taking place in northern Israel in the past four days. On Thursday, an earthquake measuring up to 3.5 on the Richter scale was felt in the north. No injuries were reported, except for light damages in Tiberias. According to the Geophysical Institute, the origin of the earthquake was also in the Sea of Galilee. Overnight between Friday and Saturday a 3.6 Richter scale earthquake was felt in the same area, apparently originating at the same place. No damage or casualties were reported. The Sea of Galilee is situated along the Great Rift Valley, a continuous geographical trench spread over nearly 6,000 km from Syria in the north and down to Africa. The area is geologically more active and prone to minor earthquakes. A week ago, a light earthquake was felt throughout Israel following a 6.4 Richter scale earthquake which occurred in the Mediterranean Sea, about 70 kilometers off the coast of Crete, Greece.