Earthquake hits southern Spain; damage said unlikely

CNN (Link) (April 11, 2010)

A strong earthquake struck near the Spanish city of Granada early Monday, but at a depth that made damage to the medieval Moorish capital unlikely, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

The magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck at 12:08 a.m. local time Monday (6:08 p.m. Sunday ET), the USGS reported.

It was centered about 24 kilometers (15 miles) southeast of Granada and about 370 kilometers (230 miles) south of Madrid, Spain�s capital.

There was no immediate report of damage or injuries from the temblor. The quake�s recorded depth of 616 kilometers -- nearly 400 miles -- means little damage is likely, geophysicist Susan Potter told CNN.

�When an earthquake is deeper, the seismic energy is absorbed by the Earth,� Potter said. �So there will be less damage expected in the epicenter area.�