Tremors that jolted some areas of Shugnan district in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) last week caused rockfalls that damaged two residential buildings in Kolkhozobod and Navobod villages, says a statement released by the Emergencies Committee under the Government of Tajikistan on September 23.
As a result of a rockfall in Kolkhozobod district, a huge stone broke through a wall of residential building on September 20.
Fortunately no injured was reported, according to the Emergencies Committee.
On the same day, a rockfall, caused by a tremor, damaged a house under construction in the village of Navobod.
Fortunately there were no casualties there either.
A it had been reported earlier, a statement released by the Emergencies Committee on September 20 said that the increased seismic activity in GBAO’s Shugnan district last week was caused by aftershocks that followed the earthquake on August 27 of this year.
Several tremors were reportedly recorded in Shugnna district of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region on September 21, raising many concerns among the population. To prevent panic and misunderstanding, the Emergencies Committee sought clarification from the Geophysical Service of the National Academy of Sciences.
In seismology, an aftershock is a smaller earthquake that follows a larger earthquake, in the same area of the main shock, caused as the displaced crust adjusts to the effects of the main shock. Large earthquakes can have hundreds to thousands of instrumentally detectable aftershocks, which steadily decrease in magnitude and frequency according to a consistent pattern. In some earthquakes the main rupture happens in two or more steps, resulting in multiple main shocks. These are known as doublet earthquakes, and in general can be distinguished from aftershocks in having similar magnitudes and nearly identical seismic waveforms.
According to a statement released by the Emergencies Committee on September 20, the epicenter of the August 27 earthquake, with a magnitude of 4.9, was located 25 km northeast of Khorog. In Khorog, the tremors could be felt at strength of 4.0 to 4.5 on the Richter scale.
After this earthquake, three more tremors reportedly occurred during the night of September 18, with magnitudes of 4.3, 4.2, and 4.1, which are also linked to the same fault and are considered aftershocks.
“These tremors may continue for several weeks to months after the main earthquake, which is a common phenomenon," a source within the Emergencies Committee said.
The Emergencies Committee urges the local population not to worry, as the GBAO is known for its high seismic activity, and earthquakes are regularly recorded there.
"The buildings in Khorog are capable of withstanding tremors with magnitudes of 8-9, providing additional safety," the Emergencies Committee emphasizes.
The Emergencies Committee also stresses the importance of residents in seismic zones being aware of earthquake safety precautions and remaining calm. Proper actions during such events can significantly increase the chances of staying safe.
