The position of the earthquakes. — Photo from the Institute of Geophysics

LAI CHÂU — An earthquake measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale struck Mường Tè District in the northwestern province of Lai Châu at approximately 4:50am on March 3.

Despite the tremors, no immediate reports of any significant damage or injuries have been reported, according to the Institute of Geophysics.

Nguyễn Xuân Anh, director of the Institute, said the earthquake's epicentre was about 16 kilometres underground.

Anh said this was a mild earthquake and with a limited impact.

“Earthquakes of magnitude less than five are considered minor and rarely pose risks. Those with a magnitude between 5-6 are medium, and those with a magnitude of 6-7 or more are strong,” he said.

Anh said earthquakes often occur in Lai Châu Province because the province is on a fault line. The largest earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.8, occurred in 1983.

However, he added that the cycle of large earthquakes often takes hundreds of years.

The Việt Nam Earthquake Information and Tsunami Warning Centre under the institute is continuing to monitor the developments.

On the evening of March 1, a 3.0-magnitude earthquake hit Tuần Giáo District in Điện Biên Province, which borders Lai Châu Province. — VNS