The Earthquake Information and Tsunami Warning Center, under the Institute of Earth Sciences, reported that a 3.2 magnitude earthquake occurred at 15:19. Its hypocenter was approximately 16.8 km deep, with a natural disaster risk level of 0.

Phung Thi Hanh, a resident of Bao Lac commune, stated she heard one loud explosion emanating from underground, immediately followed by the ground and house walls shaking for a few seconds. Assuming it was a minor earthquake, similar to a previous one, she and many others were not overly alarmed.

The red dot indicates the earthquake's location in Cao Bang. *Photo: Gmap*

This marks the third earthquake recorded in Cao Bang within the past 5 days. Previously, at 9:44 on 30/7, a 3.6 magnitude earthquake struck Bao Lac commune. Then, at 20:51 on 1/8, another 3.2 magnitude tremor occurred in Hung Dao commune, approximately 25 km from the epicenter of the earlier quake. The earthquake on the afternoon of 3/8 was about 23 km from the 1/8 event's epicenter.

Geological studies indicate that the Bao Lac and Hung Dao areas are situated on the Song Gam fault zone, one of the active fault zones in the Northeast region. This area frequently experiences small to medium earthquakes due to tectonic activity. Most earthquakes cause minimal damage.

Vietnam is not located on the boundaries of major tectonic plates; however, it has several active fault zones, including Song Gam, Song Hong, Son La, and Lai Chau - Dien Bien. Domestic earthquakes are primarily of small to medium intensity and typically do not cause serious damage.

Gia Chinh