Earthquake of magnitude 3.7 in Kon Plong district, Kon Tum province

Many earthquakes occurred consecutively in Kon Plong district (documentary photo)

Accordingly, the earthquake occurred at 11:31:44 on May 16, with a focal depth of about 8.2 km, at coordinates 14.835 degrees north latitude - 108.186 degrees east longitude, in Kon Plong district.

In recent days, Kon Plong district has frequently experienced earthquakes with a magnitude of less than 3.6. Since the beginning of May 2023, this area has experienced 10 earthquakes of this type. On the morning of May 16, this area experienced an earthquake with a magnitude of 3.0 at 7:52:51 a.m., at coordinates 14.902 degrees north latitude - 108.303 degrees east longitude, with a focal depth of about 8 km.

Since 2021, Kon Plong district, Kon Tum province has experienced hundreds of earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 2.4 to 4.7. On the afternoon of August 23, 2022, an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.7 occurred in this area, the highest in many years. The second highest magnitude earthquake in this area occurred at noon on April 18, 2022 with a magnitude of 4.5.

Director of the Institute of Geophysics Nguyen Xuan Anh said that since June 2021, the Institute of Geophysics has sent staff to this area to set up more monitoring stations to better understand and promptly warn of dangerous geological phenomena.

In early September 2022, Kon Tum province completed the construction and installation of 3 new earthquake warning monitoring stations at Thuong Kon Tum Hydropower Plant, bringing the total number of monitoring stations in the operating area of ​​this hydropower plant to 6 stations.

Earthquake data recorded in Kon Plong district shows that earthquakes have occurred more frequently in recent times and have tended to increase in magnitude. Although there have been no recorded damages to houses and people in the area so far, the seismic vibrations caused by the earthquakes have certainly affected the lives of people in the area.

Kon Tum province in general and Kon Plong district in particular belong to a small fault zone. Previous studies have shown that earthquakes in this area have a magnitude of no more than 5.0. The Institute regularly informs the authorities and people in this area about earthquake activities. To have an accurate conclusion, the time to monitor earthquake activities must be long enough, the staff of the Institute continue to monitor and process data of earthquakes in Kon Plong district.

Director Nguyen Xuan Anh recommends that people and authorities in this area should pay attention to earthquake resistance factors in construction. Authorities at all levels need to regularly disseminate and guide people on measures to prevent, avoid and minimize damage when strong earthquakes occur. In particular, when an earthquake occurs, authorities and people in the affected area need to strictly follow the regulations in Decision No. 78/2007/QD-TTg dated May 29, 2007 of the Prime Minister on promulgating the Regulations on earthquake and tsunami prevention and control.

Accordingly, upon receiving news of an earthquake or tsunami warning, all citizens in the affected area must proactively evacuate from the dangerous area to ensure safety. People's Committees at all levels must, by all means, notify the people in the area; organize evacuation instructions and mobilize local means to help people evacuate to safety, while taking measures to ensure security and order in the area. Immediately after an earthquake or tsunami occurs, authorities at all levels must mobilize all local resources according to regulations to rescue victims, provide first aid to the injured, search for missing people, and at the same time synthesize information and urgently report to competent authorities to direct necessary measures to limit damage caused by earthquakes and tsunamis.

According to VNA