KON TUM – Kon Plông District in Kon Tum Province has been struck by 70 minor earthquakes since the beginning of July, which experts say are linked to the accumulation of water at the hydroelectric dams in the region.

On one day alone, July 7, 15 consecutive earthquakes were recorded with the largest registering magnitudes ranging from 3 to 4.2.

Four earthquakes hit the district on the morning of July 20 ranging from 2.6 to 3.1 in magnitude.

The area where the four latest earthquakes happened in Kon Plông District. VNA/VNS Photo Hùng Võ.

Director of the Institute of Geophysics, Nguyễn Xuân Anh, said stimulated earthquakes that happened in this mountainous district depended on the accumulation of water at the hydroelectric plant.

“The stimulated earthquakes resulted from the hydroelectric reservoirs and there is always water in the reservoirs,” Anh said.

“The recent storm that hit the Central Highlands may have increased the amount of water. However, the water takes time to seep down. When the water penetrates deep into the ground, it will cause pressure and earthquakes will occur.”

Anh said the Institute had been sending staff to install earthquake monitoring stations in Kon Plông since June 2021.

A total of six stations have been installed in the district to study the situation and take proactive measures to prevent damage to people and property.

Based on data, the earthquakes that hit the Kon Plông District this year have occurred more frequently and tended to be stronger compared to those in previous years.

From 1903 to 2020, there were only 33 earthquakes recorded in the area. But since 2021, the number of earthquakes has increased.

More than 260 earthquakes had been recorded to hit the area from 2021 to August 2022.

According to the Earthquake Information and Tsunami Warning Centre (EITWC), this district has experienced up to 210 earthquakes this year with magnitudes ranging from 2.5 to 4.2.

Those earthquakes are said the stimulated earthquakes, which may have been caused by hydroelectric dams.

Although no damage to people and property has happened so far, the consecutive earthquakes have significantly impacted the lives of people in the area.

Kon Tum province and Kon Plông District are in the fault zone. Research also shows that earthquakes in the area have a magnitude not exceeding 5.0.

However, the authorities should notify people and take measures to ensure security and order in the area.

The Institute of Geophysics regularly reports and updates the earthquake situation to the local authorities to have a proper response. – VNS