How did the 3.5 magnitude earthquake in Dien Bien develop and cause damage?

Map of the epicenter of the 5.0-magnitude earthquake in Muong Cha district that occurred on the morning of May 23 - Photo: Institute of Earth Sciences

On the afternoon of May 23, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Anh - Director of the Earthquake and Tsunami Warning Center (Institute of Earth Sciences) - said that this morning in Muong Cha district ( Dien Bien province) an earthquake had just occurred.

Accordingly, at 10:21 this morning, in Muong Cha district (Dien Bien province), a 3.5 magnitude earthquake occurred. The focal depth was about 10km.

The earthquake has a disaster risk level of 0. The Earthquake Information and Tsunami Warning Center - Institute of Earth Sciences is continuing to monitor this earthquake.

Previously, on May 16, two consecutive earthquakes of magnitude 5 and 4 occurred in Muong Cha district.

In particular, the 5-magnitude earthquake was warned of level 2 natural disaster risk in the area near the epicenter.

Many people in Dien Bien, Son La, and Lao Cai felt tremors from this earthquake.

According to a quick report from the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue of Dien Bien province, the 5-magnitude earthquake that occurred on May 16 in Muong Cha district caused cracks in the walls of 8 houses, 4 schools, 1 medical station, and 3 offices. The estimated damage is about 1.85 billion VND.

Two consecutive earthquakes in Dien Bien on May 16

Dien Bien province is located in the Northwest region, where there are two major seismic fault lines: Dien Bien - Lai Chau and Song Ma - Son La, so earthquakes often occur in the province.

According to historical data, earthquakes of very large magnitude have occurred in Dien Bien with magnitudes ranging from 5.3 to 6.9 in 1935 (6.9 in Dien Bien basin), 1983 (6.7 in Tuan Giao town), 2001 (5.3 in Dien Bien Phu city), 2019 (4.3 in Muong Ang district), 2022 (4.5 in Dien Bien Dong district).

The 5.3 magnitude earthquake in 2001 alone caused about 210 billion VND in damage and destroyed many structures.

WISDOM

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dong-dat-manh-3-5-do-o-dien-bien-dien-bien-va-gay-thiet-hai-the-nao-2025052312061398.htm