Residents of Almaty and the Almaty region felt three tremors in a single day, and seismologists have offered an explanation for the phenomenon, infohub.kz reports.
Seismologist Mukhtar Khaidarov told journalists how melting snow in the mountains affects the seismic situation in Almaty. Residents of the metropolis felt the first tremors early in the morning, at 06:32, and shared their experiences on social media. Then at 09:38 the network registered another earthquake, and videos began appearing online of Almaty residents evacuating from buildings and apartments. Later still, at 13:53, an earthquake was recorded in the Almaty region — the third in 24 hours.
According to the television channel, seismologists attribute the events to water from melting snow in the mountains flowing into fault lines, a process that triggers what is known as seismic discharge.
"The snow in the mountains, especially the glaciers, melted a lot during the summer heat. And the mountain seems to feel relief: the weight is gone, and there is a certain release of tension, and it pulls tension onto itself, and so — there is an earthquake here," seismologist Mukhtar Khaidarov explained.
Specialists explained that Almaty lies in a 10-point seismic zone. Every year, up to 200 weak earthquakes occur within an 80-kilometer radius of the city. At the same time, experts say it is impossible to predict the exact date and time of perceptible tremors.
According to the specialists, the main thing is to be ready at any moment, not to panic, to wait out the first tremors in a safe place, and afterwards to go outside, taking an emergency bag with documents and essential items.
The Ministry of Emergency Situations also said whether Almaty residents should now fear a destructive earthquake.