The entire country recorded 463 earthquakes.

Earthquake monitoring system at the Earthquake Information and Tsunami Warning Center. (Photo: BL)

  Earthquakes occur frequently in Kon Plông district and the surrounding area.

According to Mr. Nguyen Xuan Anh, Director of the Institute of Geophysics (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology), from January 1, 2024 to December 5, 2024, the Institute recorded 463 earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 2.4 to 5.0 on the Moment Scale in Vietnam's territory and sea areas. Of these, 59 earthquakes with magnitudes M ≥ 3.5 were fully reported in the mass media in accordance with government regulations. In Kon Tum province alone, 427 earthquakes with magnitudes above 2.5 occurred, with the largest one (M=5.0) taking place on July 28, 2024.

Earthquake monitoring data indicates that earthquakes in the Kon Plông district and surrounding areas occur frequently and are trending towards increasing intensity, reaching several hundred per year. The cause has been identified as induced earthquakes related to water impoundment in the reservoir.

According to the Institute of Geophysics, this type of induced earthquake has also occurred at other hydroelectric dams such as Hoa Binh, Son La, Song Tranh 2, and A Luoi. Research on induced earthquakes in Vietnam was largely neglected until the Hoa Binh hydroelectric dam in 1989 exhibited similar phenomena. Currently, the Institute of Geophysics maintains a network of local earthquake monitoring stations at the dams of the Song Da hydroelectric cascade, Song Tranh 2, Dak Rinh, and Thuong Kon Tum, as well as the Dong Nai nuclear power project.

Earthquake monitoring data is a crucial input for the management and operation of hydroelectric dams. In addition, the Institute of Geophysics has established a network of earthquake monitoring stations to assess earthquake hazards for the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Center Project in Dong Nai.

Operating nearly 100 earthquake monitoring stations across Vietnam's territory and territorial waters.

According to Mr. Nguyen Xuan Anh, the Institute of Geophysics currently operates nearly 100 earthquake monitoring stations across Vietnam's territory and territorial waters, including both the national and local earthquake monitoring systems.

Over the past period, the Earthquake Information Center has recorded thousands of earthquakes not only within Vietnam's territory and territorial waters, but also in the region and around the world . Information on earthquakes with magnitudes M≥3.5 is provided fully, accurately, and promptly, contributing to the response and mitigation of earthquake and tsunami disasters for the nation and the region. Information on earthquakes with magnitudes M≥1.0 is also provided fully, accurately, and promptly, contributing to disaster prevention and mitigation, social welfare, and the safe operation of hydropower plants and key infrastructure projects within Vietnam's territory and territorial waters.

Mr. Xuan Anh stated that the series of earthquakes caused strong shaking of houses, many of which cracked, and created panic and fear among the people not only in Kon Tum province but also in neighboring provinces such as Quang Nam, Gia Lai, and Da Nang. The tremors were even felt in distant cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh (Cambodia) (source: US Geological Survey – USGS).

The earthquake was assessed to have caused the strongest tremors, at magnitudes VI-VII on the MSK-64 scale, in the epicenter area. During this time, the Institute of Geophysics' working group conducted awareness campaigns to educate people about earthquakes and earthquake prevention in the epicenter area (e.g., the communes in the epicenter region such as Dak Tang, Mang But, Dak Nen, Dak Rinh, and Mang Canh) and several other earthquake-affected locations near the epicenter.

Mr. Xuan Anh added that the Institute of Geophysics had organized direct dialogue sessions with local residents, clarifying the content of the propaganda materials, and listening to their experiences to assess the effectiveness of some workshops on earthquake awareness in 2022. This allowed for timely supplementation, explanation, and guidance on coping skills for new situations, based on the experiences people had during the earthquake on April 28, 2024.

Source: https://dangcongsan.vn/khoa-hoc/ca-nuoc-ghi-nhan-463-tran-dong-dat-685611.html