Key Points
- Two moderate earthquakes shook Kariba, causing widespread fear.
- The quakes are linked to the Kariba Dam’s weight impact.
- No damage was reported, but assessments are still ongoing.
Residents of the tourist town of Kariba were shaken by two mild earthquakes that occurred last Thursday, rekindling worries about the seismic activity in the area.
Twin tremors jolt Kariba, leave residents shaken
According to the Meteorological Services Department (MSD), the first earthquake, which had a magnitude of 3.9, happened at roughly 3 a.m., and the second one, which had a magnitude of 3.7, happened at 9:36 a.m. In Kariba, both earthquakes were felt powerfully, especially in the vicinity of the dam wall.
The encounter was deemed disturbing by the residents.
“When the first earthquake occurred, I was in my home,” local resident Tracy Martin recalled. “I heard a tremendous rumbling noise and felt the ground tremble. It was really terrible.
Similar experiences were reported by another neighbor, who said that several individuals were awakened by the vibrations.
Buildings were trembling, and we could feel the earthquake. According to the Newsday, the incident woke up the majority of individuals.
No damage reported, but further assessments underway
The MSD stated that no damage had been detected and that the earthquakes were of modest magnitude. The department also stated that additional evaluations would be carried out to ascertain the complete magnitude of the quakes’ effects on the surrounding area.
The MSD claims that the Kariba Dam is responsible for the majority of the seismic activity in the area. One of the biggest artificial lakes in the world was produced by the dam, which was constructed in the late 1950s.
The enormous weight of the water has been known to affect the geological stability of the region, even as it sustains local fishermen and generates hydroelectric power.
Over the years, Kariba has had a number of earthquakes, from small tremors to larger ones. A 6.0-magnitude earthquake that created great anxiety but little damage was one of the most famous events, occurring in 1963.
More recently, a string of earthquakes in 2016 served as another reminder to the community of the dam’s continued seismic hazards.
In order to keep citizens aware and ready for the potential of future tremors, the MSD’s monitoring and frequent updates are considered essential.
