Imagine living at virus fever pitch then copping a sizeable earthquake in the midst of it to really jangle your nerves. That's what happened in Zagreb, Croatia. A 5.4M struck a couple of days ago. One death - some injuries - lots of damage to a beautiful old city. Got some friends there riding out the aftershocks - as we know it's not just a one-off event - there are all the surrounding quakes and the worry around where it's going.
Didn't realise they even had earthquakes there but see a 6.3 struck Zagreb in 1880. Hopefully it doesn't get up to that.

This is one of my concerns here in Japan -- a major earthquake. It could happen at any moment and it would be a nightmare.

My friend is still without gas - so no heating or hot water. The electricity also went out. Was thinking last week what would be the next level up from now in terms of the collapse of civilisation - it'd have to be the electricity going out - so they actually experienced it for a while.

Reports are that the aftershocks have subsided in Zagreb so that's good news.

It's almost comical that at the height of one hysteria a large earthquake hits. Both of us know how jittery that can make you at the best of times. Hopefully you can hold off in Japan.

Another big earthquake in Croatia. A shallow 6.4 struck Petrinja on Dec 29, devastating the small city of 20 000.

It was part of an 'earthquake swarm' with a 5.2 pre-shock coming 24-hours earlier. Several 4+ aftershocks have occurred since.

The 6.4 was Croatia's largest recorded since record keeping began. Seven people reported killed at this stage, and another 20 injured.

Petrinja is only 50km from Zagreb which experienced a 5.3 in March this year. There are reports of further damage in Zagreb from this recent quake.

The earthquake comes in the middle of winter - which is not a good time to be homeless in Croatia, or without power for heating.

The whole planet has had a tough 2020, but Croatia takes the cake. I remember 2016 as a tough year in Taitung - Cat 5 typhoon and earthquake - we were wondering what next. But 2017 was much quieter. Let's hope Croatia can catch a break in 2021.