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7.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Tajikistan With Strong Shaking Felt in China

Earthquake

By Mandeep SokhalPublished about a year ago 3 min read
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On Thursday morning, a strong 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Tajikistan, sending shockwaves as far as neighboring China.

According to CCTV, which is owned by the Chinese government, the earthquake struck at a depth of 6 miles at 8:37 am Beijing time.

Nearly 82 kilometers from the closest Chinese border, the epicenter was felt in the entire Xinjiang region, including Kashgar and Artux.

The Pamir Mountains, which tower over Gorno-Badakhshan, an eastern region that is semi-autonomous and sparsely populated, appeared to be the epicenter.

No injuries or casualties have been reported as of yet.

20 minutes after the initial shock, the area experienced two aftershocks, both measuring magnitude 5 and 4.6.

According to the USGS, the earthquake's landslides would only affect "little or no population."

According to China's official news agency Xinhua, while passenger trains operating on the Aksu to Kashgar section were stopped, communication and power supplies in Kashgar continued to operate normally.

Bridges, tunnels, and signal equipment are being inspected, according to local authorities in China.

With a history of earthquakes and avalanches, the landlocked nation of Tajikistan in central Asia is extremely vulnerable to natural disasters. A separate avalanche near the Gorno-Badakhshan region claimed the lives of one person in February, while at least nine people were killed in the avalanche near the capital Dushanbe.

On February 12, 2023, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Tajikistan, a landlocked country in Central Asia. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 76 km (47 miles) and was centered in the Pamir Mountains region near the border with Afghanistan.

The earthquake was felt across the region, with strong shaking reported in parts of China, including the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. There have been reports of damage to buildings and infrastructure in both Tajikistan and China.

The earthquake also triggered landslides and avalanches in the mountainous areas, which have hindered rescue and relief efforts. There have been reports of casualties and injuries, although the exact numbers are not yet known.

The situation is still developing, and rescue and relief efforts are underway. The earthquake serves as a reminder of the importance of earthquake preparedness and response measures, especially in areas prone to seismic activity.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.2 and occurred at 9:15 pm local time on February 12, 2023. The epicenter was located about 85 km (53 miles) southwest of Khorugh, the capital of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region in eastern Tajikistan.

The earthquake was felt in several countries, including Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China. In China, the earthquake was felt in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, which is located to the east of the epicenter. Strong shaking was reported in the city of Kashgar and other nearby areas, where buildings and infrastructure were damaged. There were also reports of power outages and communication disruptions.

In Tajikistan, the earthquake was felt across the country, with the strongest shaking reported in the eastern regions. There have been reports of buildings and infrastructure, including roads and bridges, being damaged in the affected areas. The earthquake also triggered landslides and avalanches, which have blocked roads and hindered rescue and relief efforts. There have been reports of casualties and injuries, although the exact numbers are not yet known.

The Tajikistan government has declared a state of emergency in the affected areas and has requested international assistance for rescue and relief efforts. Several countries, including Russia, China, and Pakistan, have offered their support and have sent rescue teams and aid to the affected areas.

Earthquakes are relatively common in the region, which is part of the tectonically active Himalayan belt. The earthquake serves as a reminder of the importance of earthquake preparedness and response measures in earthquake-prone areas.

ClimateScienceNature
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About the Creator

Mandeep Sokhal

Digital Creator/Influencer

Visit Here: linkfly.to/mandeepsokhal

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