3.1 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Haskovo Region in Bulgaria

A 3.1 magnitude earthquake was felt in the Haskovo region of Bulgaria on March 6, 2026, at 8:30 p.m. Local time, according to the National Seismological Center at the National Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography – BAS .

Earthquake Details

The epicenter of the earthquake was located approximately 30 km from Kardzhali, 50 km from Plovdiv, and 200 km from Sofia.

Earlier Tremors Reported

Local media in Haskovo reported three earthquakes occurred throughout the day. The first, with a magnitude of 2.0, was registered at 5:31 p.m., followed by the 3.1 magnitude quake at 8:30 p.m., and a third tremor of magnitude 2.3 shortly after. However, the National Seismological Center at the National Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography – BAS has officially reported only the 8:30 p.m. Earthquake .

About the National Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography – BAS

The National Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography (NIGGG) was established on July 1, 2010, through the merger of four research units of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences: the Geophysical Institute (founded in 1960), the Geographical Institute (founded in 1950), the Central Laboratory of Higher Geodesy (founded in 1948), and the Central Laboratory of Seismic Mechanics and Seismic Engineering (founded in 1982) . The institute conducts fundamental and applied research in geophysics, seismology, seismic mechanics, seismic engineering, geodesy, and geography .

Ongoing Monitoring

NIGGG operates and maintains several national monitoring networks, including the National Seismological Service, the National Strong Earth Motion Network, and the National Network of Permanent Global Navigation Satellite System (GPS/GNSS) Stations .