The study used data from Lifelines, a large, long-term health study in northern Netherlands that has followed over 167,000 participants since 2006 through questionnaires and physical assessments. These data were linked to records from the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) covering all earthquakes in the Netherlands between 1986 and 2021—a total of more than a thousand events.
This approach allowed researchers to establish a clear causal link: the earthquakes directly contribute to the increase in anxiety and depressive symptoms and have a measurable impact on the mental health of residents in the region.
The analysis shows that the more earthquakes a person has experienced over the years, the more anxiety and depressive symptoms they report. These are not formally diagnosed psychiatric disorders, but complaints such as low mood, loss of interest, concentration difficulties, restlessness, and tension.
Between 2007 and 2021, tens of thousands of additional cases of these symptoms were observed among residents of the affected area. “The effects go beyond individual residents,” says researcher Jochen Mierau. “This is a community with strong social connections. When many people experience low mood or tension, it can ripple through families, workplaces, and local organizations.”
Although gas extraction in Groningen has now ended, the researchers warn that its effects on mental health may persist. Earthquakes still occur, and for many residents, compensation for damage is not yet complete.
“This study shows that frequent, smaller earthquakes—even without serious physical injury—can have a lasting impact on mental well-being, similar to the effects of major natural disasters,” Mierau notes.
The researchers emphasize that the health consequences of large-scale energy projects should be considered alongside economic benefits. “Our findings highlight that attention is needed not only for direct physical damage but also for the psychological burden of ongoing uncertainty,” says Mierau. “Effective policy is required to limit the health impacts of economic activities, and when the risks are too great, we must be prepared to stop these activities.”
The study, The Impact of Mining-Induced Earthquakes on Mental Health: Evidence from the Dutch Lifelines Cohort Study and Biobank, was published in the Journal of Health Economics.
Lifelines is a large, ongoing health study in northern Netherlands. Since 2006, over 167,000 people have participated, often with their parents and children. Participants regularly complete questionnaires on health, lifestyle, and living conditions, and undergo physical examinations—including blood tests and measurements of weight and blood pressure—every five years. Conducted by specially trained UMCG nurses, these assessments provide a unique, reliable picture of long-term health trends, helping researchers understand the causes of illness, healthy aging, and health disparities.
