According to the Earthquake and Tsunami Warning Centre under the Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources, two additional minor earthquakes occurred this morning, May 30, in Kon Plong District, Kon Tum Province. These latest quakes measured 2.5 and 3.6 in magnitude and were not strong enough to cause surface damage.
The recent series of quakes has primarily affected Nam Tra My District in Quang Nam and Kon Plong District in Kon Tum, two neighbouring districts located along the active Rao Quan-A Luoi fault line. Experts believe the seismic activity is triggered by nearby hydropower reservoir operations, which have made the region prone to induced earthquakes.
Seismic activity in Nam Tra My began in 2012 following the impoundment of the Song Tranh 2 Hydropower Reservoir. Since then, thousands of tremors have occurred, affecting local residents and their livelihoods.
In Kon Plong, earthquakes have been reported since April 2021 after the Thuong Kon Tum Hydropower Reservoir began storing water. This area has experienced hundreds of quakes, with the strongest on record reaching magnitude 5.0, higher than the 4.7-magnitude peak recorded in Nam Tra My.
Experts warn that induced seismic activity is likely to persist in the region. However, the magnitude of future earthquakes is not expected to exceed 5.0.
