Shumen, Bulgaria – August 8, 2025 — A series of minor earthquakes shook parts of Bulgaria early Friday morning, with the most significant tremor registering a magnitude of 3.0 near the town of Kaolinovo in the Shumen region, according to the National Seismological Center at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS).
The strongest of the three quakes was recorded at 08:21 a.m. local time. Its epicenter was located approximately 25 kilometers from Novi Pazar, 40 kilometers from the city of Shumen, and about 340 kilometers northeast of the capital, Sofia.
The quake occurred at a depth of 15.2 kilometers, placing it within the typical range for regional seismic activity.
Despite its magnitude, there were no reports of the tremor being felt by residents, and authorities have confirmed that the earthquake caused no damage or disruption in the area.
Earlier in the day, two additional seismic events were registered. The first took place at 5:07 a.m. near the town of Petrich in Southwestern Bulgaria. This quake measured 2.2 on the Richter scale and occurred at a depth of 13 kilometers.
A second quake, identical in strength to the one near Kaolinovo, was also recorded in Northeastern Bulgaria at 08:21 a.m., coinciding with the Kaolinovo event, though no significant seismic effect was noted.
The National Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy, and Geography at BAS confirmed the seismic events and emphasized that such occurrences are not unusual in Bulgaria, which lies in a region of moderate seismic activity.
The Institute also noted that both the time of day and the relatively low magnitudes contributed to the tremors going largely unnoticed.
“The earthquakes recorded today fall within the expected seismic behavior for this region,” a BAS spokesperson said. “They serve as a reminder that Bulgaria, while not prone to devastating quakes, remains an area where minor to moderate seismic activity occurs regularly.”
Seismologists continuously monitor seismic movements across the country as part of national safety and disaster preparedness efforts.
Earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or less are generally considered minor and typically do not result in damage or injury, especially when occurring at moderate depths and in sparsely populated areas.
Local authorities have reassured residents that there is no cause for concern and that no emergency measures have been triggered. Nevertheless, they encourage the public to remain informed about earthquake safety and preparedness practices.
While today’s tremors were relatively insignificant, they come as part of a pattern of low-intensity seismic activity that experts say should be closely watched.
The National Seismological Center continues to analyze the data from this morning’s quakes and will provide updates should further activity be detected.
For now, life continues as normal in the affected regions, with no interruptions to infrastructure, transportation, or daily routines.
Residents are advised to report any unusual shaking or aftershocks to local emergency services or the National Institute of Geophysics.