Dr. Nguyen Xuan Anh, Director of the Earthquake and Tsunami Warning Center, announced that from December 15, 2023, to May 14, 2024, there have been 126 recorded earthquakes in the territory and waters of Vietnam.
The majority of these earthquakes are induced seismicity, caused by reservoir-induced seismicity from hydroelectric projects, as seen in the recent series of earthquakes that occurred in Kon Plong District, Kon Tum Province. Additionally, around 10 natural earthquakes have been recorded, including a significant earthquake of magnitude 4.0 in My Duc District, Hanoi.
According to Dr. Nguyen Xuan Anh, recent earthquakes have occurred in Ninh Binh, Yen Bai, Thanh Hoa, Hanoi, and Phu Yen. These are areas with active fault zones. Vietnam has several active faults, which are sources of earthquakes. In principle, larger earthquakes are less likely to repeat, while smaller earthquakes below magnitude 4 tend to occur more frequently.
“In Hanoi, there is an active fault zone along the Red River – Chay River. In the past, this fault zone recorded earthquakes with magnitudes between 5.1 and 5.6,” Dr. Xuan Anh stated.
Earthquakes can severely affect collective housing areas in Hanoi. (Illustrative image).
For the past 20 years, most earthquakes affecting Hanoi have originated from distant locations such as Thailand, Laos, China, or Moc Chau (Son La). However, on March 25, 2024, an earthquake of magnitude 4.0 occurred right in Hanoi. This indicates that earthquakes still occur in active fault zones.
Dr. Xuan Anh mentioned that the Institute of Geophysics aims to map earthquake hazard zones and conduct earthquake risk assessments. Mapping hazard zones will help evaluate the maximum possible earthquake magnitude that could occur in the area.
Risk assessment will contribute to quantifying potential damages if an earthquake occurs, which is closely related to construction projects. Dr. Xuan Anh believes this is essential, especially for the country’s critical infrastructure and densely populated areas. In many residential areas of Hanoi, even small earthquakes can cause significant damage.
According to this expert, Hanoi should install monitoring systems in important structures and densely populated areas to help quantify seismic activity, serving as a basis for assessing earthquake-related risks.
Earlier today, at 8:05:35 AM (Hanoi time) on March 25, an earthquake of magnitude 4.0 occurred at coordinates (20.770 degrees North, 105.720 degrees East), with a focal depth of about 16 km, in My Duc District, Hanoi. Residents of the capital, especially those living and working in high-rise buildings, felt the tremors from this earthquake.
