Low Probability of Strong Earthquake Threat, Yet Minor Aftershocks Possible: Ministry of Emergency Situations

On August 12 at 2:02 AM local time, an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.2 was recorded 9 km northwest of Martuni, Armenia, at a depth of 10 km. According to the MSK-64 scale, its intensity at the epicenter reached 5-6 points. It was felt in the Gegharkunik region with an intensity of 5 points, in the Kotayk region with 4 points, and in Yerevan with 2-3 points.

The earthquake was followed by 10 aftershocks, each less than a magnitude of 1, as of 10:00 AM on August 12. The epicenter is located in the active fault zone of Gavarraget and Geghama. Significant historical earthquakes in this zone occurred in 1226 and 1322 with magnitudes of M=6.0 and M=6.5, respectively. The largest earthquake recorded in the instrumental period occurred on December 9, 1992, with a magnitude of M=5.0.

The Seismic Protection Territorial Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations conducts round-the-clock seismic monitoring of Armenia and surrounding areas. Data from observation stations are processed and analyzed, and the current seismic hazard is assessed periodically. At this time, the probability of a strong earthquake threat is low; however, minor aftershocks may occur in the focal area, which could be felt by the population.