Series of earthquakes strike central Vietnam; experts warn of continued seismic activity

According to the Vietnam Earthquake Information and Tsunami Warning Center, the most recent tremor, a magnitude-3.6 quake at a depth of 8.1 km, occurred at 3:28 am in Mang But and Mang Ri Communes. 

Earlier between 1:00 am and 3:00 am, five other quakes were recorded in the same area, ranging from magnitude-2.8 to -4.2. 

Another magnitude-2.5 quake was reported in Mang Ri, also at a depth of 8.1 km.

All seven quakes were classified as level 0 on the national five-level disaster risk scale, indicating no immediate threat to people or infrastructure.

The latest activity follows a magnitude-4.9 earthquake that struck Mang But at around 1:00 am on October 6, which was rated at level 1. 

Dozens of smaller tremors have been reported in the area over the past several days.

Nguyen Xuan Anh, director of the Vietnam Earthquake Information and Tsunami Warning Center under the Institute of Geophysics, said the region has experienced an increase in so-called induced earthquakes — seismic events linked to human activity — since 2021.

He said hundreds of tremors have been recorded in the broader area since then, with most concentrated around the former Kon Plong District. 

The strongest in recent years was a magnitude-5.0 quake that struck on July 28, 2024, causing light ground shaking across parts of central Vietnam.

"Preliminary studies suggest that seismic activity in the region will likely continue, but the probability of events exceeding magnitude-5.5 is low," Anh said, adding that more detailed studies are needed to assess the long-term risk.

No casualties or structural damage have been reported from the recent quakes.