By Admore Mbonda in Kariba
Kariba, Mashonaland West — The Kariba region experienced back-to-back earthquakes over the weekend, leaving residents rattled but unharmed.
The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) confirmed two moderate tremors, registering magnitudes of 4.3 and 4.1 on the Richter scale, striking the area on December 7 and 8, respectively.
The first quake, occurring at 10:56am on Saturday, was followed by a second at 9:20amon Sunday. Both were strongly felt across the Kariba area, particularly in Batonga and Charara, where buildings trembled, and trees visibly swayed.
Mrs Muchono, a local resident, described the unsettling experience: “It felt like everything was moving, and I could see the trees shaking. It was alarming.”
The MSD pinpointed the epicenter of the Saturday quake at 15.6715° S latitude and 29.088° E longitude, while Sunday’s tremor was centered at 16.640° S latitude and 24.0123° E longitude. Despite the intensity, no injuries or significant property damage have been reported.
The MSD attributed the seismic activity to the presence of the Kariba Dam, a known trigger for reservoir-induced earthquakes.
Experts suspect the increasing frequency of these events may be linked to historically low water levels in the dam or other geological factors in the mid-Zambezi basin.
“While there’s no immediate cause for alarm, further investigations are underway to determine the precise causes of these quakes,” said an MSD spokesperson.
As seismic monitoring continues, the MSD urged residents to remain alert and report any unusual activity.
With safety updates and further studies promised, the region stands ready to face its geological challenges while ensuring public safety remains a priority.
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