HCMC – A magnitude 3.3 earthquake struck Mang Den Commune, Quang Ngai Province at 10:25 a.m. today, July 12, according to the Earthquake and Tsunami Warning Center under the Institute of Geophysics.
The quake occurred at a depth of approximately 8.1 kilometers. Authorities said the event posed no natural disaster risk and classified it at risk level 0.
The center is continuing to monitor the situation.
Two other minor earthquakes were recorded earlier this month, on July 7 and 8, in Kon Plong and Son Ky communes, with magnitudes of 3.3 and 2.6, respectively. Neither caused damage or posed disaster risks.
Since 2021, hundreds of earthquakes have been detected in the region, particularly in areas that were formerly part of Kon Tum Province, with most centered in Kon Plong District. Some events have triggered noticeable ground shaking across wider areas.
The most significant in recent years include a magnitude 5.0 earthquake on July 28, 2024, and a 4.7-magnitude quake on August 23, 2022.
Nguyen Xuan Anh, director of the Earthquake and Tsunami Warning Center, attributed these events to “induced seismicity” and warned that such earthquakes may continue in the future. However, he said it is unlikely the magnitude will exceed 5.5.
He stressed the need for more detailed studies to better assess seismic activity in the region.
The Institute of Geophysics is currently operating 11 seismic monitoring stations in the area and is conducting in-depth research to update its risk assessments.
