Experts calm fears over building stability after Danish earthquake

A magnitude 3.9 earthquake that struck Denmark on Wednesday afternoon has prompted experts to reassure homeowners that their buildings are unlikely to have suffered structural damage. Speaking to DR’s P1 Orientering programme, seismologist Tine Larsen of the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) said there was no case of personal injury from an earthquake on Danish soil, and only a few reports of minor damage to buildings that were already in poor condition.

“In Denmark, buildings are very well constructed, not so much because of earthquakes but because we occasionally have strong winds,” Larsen said. She added that for a building to become unstable after such a quake, it would have to have serious pre-existing issues.

Building consultant Tue Patursson of Bolius, a homeowner advisory service, also downplayed concerns. He said the quake could not have compromised buildings to the point of collapse, and most resulting damage would be cosmetic—such as fine cracks in ceilings, walls, or external plaster and mortar joints.

Patursson advised homeowners to be alert for signs of moisture ingress through outdoor cracks wide enough to insert a bank card, which should be sealed within half a year to avoid long-term damp problems. He also noted a minimal risk that old, brittle pipes could have been shaken loose, recommending that owners of older houses monitor their water meters. A door that suddenly sticks could be another sign, though he said such cases would be extremely rare.

If damage is spotted, Patursson said it would likely not be covered by insurance, as companies would treat the event as force majeure. He suggested that homeowners worried about changes could hire a building advisor for peace of mind.

According to GEUS, several earthquakes occur annually in Denmark, and data from them helps inform the national building code.

Tags: Denmark earthquake, building safety, expert advice