A draft plan unveiled on the governmental portal reveals that approximately 40% of Kazakhstan's total land area is classified as seismic regions.
The southeast region of the country is particularly vulnerable, as it has experienced some of the most severe earthquakes in history during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with epicenter forces of 8-10 points.
According to the draft concept report, the East Kazakhstan region has a high probability of seismic events up to 8 points, while southern Kazakhstan can experience up to 8-9 points. The Central and Western regions of Kazakhstan are also susceptible to earthquakes with a magnitude of 6-7.
As of 2023, over 7mn people live in these highly seismic regions, encompassing more than 400 cities and settlements, and over 50% of the country's industrial potential is concentrated in these areas.
Of particular concern are the cities of Almaty and Shymkent, as well as the Almaty, East Kazakhstan, Zhambyl, Kyzylorda, Turkestan, Abay, and Zhetysu regions, all of which are at high risk of seismic danger. The city of Almaty, located in one of the most earthquake-prone zones in Central Asia, is at the highest risk of catastrophic earthquakes.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Threads pages to keep up to date on world news.
Comments (0)