Almaty could have 7.0 quakes this year

    The Almaty region faces the prospect of earthquakes measuring up to 7 on the Richter scale this year, Kazakhstani Seismology Institute Director Tanatkan Abakanov said February 8, according to Kazakhstan Today.
    Almaty is in a 10-point seismic activity zone. The last time it had a destructive earthquake was in 1911, when a quake measuring 9 or 10 on the Richter scale destroyed the city of Vernyi, Central Asia Online wrote.
    "There is a medium-term forecast. There is a 70 percent probability thesoutheast of the Almaty Oblast will be hit by strong earthquakes of less than 6.5 in magnitude, and up to VII in intensity in 2013. This is our forecast for the mountainous areas. There will be no stronger earthquakes in this region. Basically, we do not expect any cataclysms. We are keeping our noses on the wind. We will update you on any changes in this region," Abakanov said.
    Besides, he added that smaller earthquakes of magnitude below 4 or 5 and intensity of IV to VI in the epicenter are possible near Taldykorgan and Zharkent station, southeast of Almaty and southwest of the Kokpek village.
    He also gave a short-term forecast for the week, saying no strong or destructive earthquakes are expected in Almaty oblast before February 13.
    Abakanov added the Institutes’ medium-term forecasts made over the previous 7 years have been correct.
    He reminded reporters that the biggest earthquake in 2012 happened on May 31 – 146 km from Almaty. A total of 19 tangible earthquakes were recorded in the country during 2012.
    The typical effects of earthquakes with 6.5-magnitude forecasted for the Almaty Oblast are characterized in the Richter scale as follows: "There could be damage and destructiion in populated areas in regions of any size. Damage could occur to many to all buildings. Earthquake-resistant structures would survive with slight to moderate damage. Poorly-designed structures would receive moderate to severe damage. Such quakes could be felt in wider areas; likely to be hundreds of miles/kilometers from the epicenter. There could be damage of any level far from the epicenter. Strong to violent shaking could be experienced in the epicenter area. The death toll could stand between zero and 25,000,” www.tengrinews.kz wrote.