The epicentre of the 3.1-magnitude earthquake in Kon Plong district
In March alone, Vietnam recorded 26 earthquakes, with 23 occurring in Kon Plong district, Kon Tum province, and 3 in Nam Tra My district, Quang Nam province, the Earthquake Information and Tsunami Warning Center – Institute of Geophysics under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology reported on April 1.
The tremors ranged in magnitude from 2.5 to 3.7, primarily concentrated in the earthquake-prone areas of Kon Tum.
Notably, on March 31, five earthquakes struck Kon Plong district, measuring between 2.6 and 3.1 on the Richter scale, with depths exceeding 8 kilometers. This followed a pattern of frequent seismic activity in the region since April 2021, especially in Kon Plông, where some earthquakes have caused widespread tremors. The strongest tremor occurred on July 28, 2024, registering 5.0 on the Richter scale.
On March 28, a powerful earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale hit central Myanmar, sending tremors that reached as far as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The quake occurred at 1:20 p.m. local time at coordinates 21.71N - 96.02E, with a depth of 10 kilometers. The violent shaking caused panic in major Vietnamese cities, particularly among residents of high-rise buildings.
Experts suggest that the increase in seismic activity in the region is linked to the construction of hydropower dams. The process of filling reservoirs can induce earthquakes, a phenomenon known as "induced seismicity," by altering stress on underlying fault lines.
A representative from the Institute of Earth Sciences warned that the seismic situation in Kon Plông and Nam Tra My districts is likely to continue and could impact key construction areas, especially near the epicenters. Local authorities are urged to regularly update seismic information, implement seismic design plans for all types of buildings, and educate the public on appropriate responses to potential earthquakes.
