Seismic activity intensify in country

/By AzerNews/

By Nigar Orujova

Azerbaijan may face 3-4 magnitude earthquakes in the near future, the Ecology and Natural Resources Ministry announced, while naming zones that have potential risks of earthquakes.

Shaki-Oghuz, Central Caspian seismogenic zone and partly Southeastern sector of Shamakhi seismically active zone were named as areas of potential seismic risk based on the operational analysis of seismic and geodynamic conditions in Azerbaijan in the end of October.

The Ministry said there is a high possibility of the classic local earthquakes in all these areas in November.

Since the evaluation of the geodynamic stress is not critical, the magnitude of seismic events is not expected to exceed 3-4.

The Ministry also noted that significant changes has been observed in seismic geodynamic conditions of seismic zones in the country and neighboring seismic zones.

Oghuz and Shaki regions experienced strong earthquake earlier that led to serious consequences in September.

The last earthquake recorded in the country was observed in the Caspian Sea to the east of Baku. The strength of the quake was 3.1 on the Richter scale; the epicenter was located at a depth of 57 km.

Scientists believe that seismic zones with the potential to produce dangerous force cover the entire country, while the Alpine-Himalayan seismic belt passes directly through Azerbaijan.

Last year was marked with an intensification of seismic processes as well as the most powerful earthquakes that Azerbaijan has seen in the past 15 years.

Six earthquakes measuring over 5.0 on the Richter scale occurred in Azerbaijan in 2014, releasing a tremendous volume of energy.