The Zimbabwe Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has confirmed that a moderate earthquake measuring 3.9 in magnitude was experienced in Kariba, on Saturday and no injuries were recorded.
A seismologist at the Bulawayo MSD, Mr Kwangwari Marimira, said most of the earth tremors which occur in the mid-Zambezi basin under which Lake Kariba falls, are called reservoir-induced earthquakes.
“An earthquake of magnitude 3,9 was experienced in Kariba on the 1st of June 2019 at 10:28 UTC and the local time was 12:28PM. The reports that we obtained from our personnel at Kariba Meteorological Office indicate that there were no casualties or injuries that were recorded. This was a moderate earthquake,” he said.
The earth tremor was felt in Kariba and surrounding areas.
“The epicentre of the earthquake was determined to be about: Longitude 16,770S and latitude 28,633E. The personnel at our Kariba Meteorological Office confirmed the shaking in Kariba as well as surrounding areas,” he said.
The quake has been attributed to the upward or downward variation in water levels in Lake Kariba with the Zambezi River Authority recording a steady rise in water levels over the last two months.
As of June 18, 2020 water levels had risen to 481,22m (40,97 percent of usable storage for power generation) compared to 479,63 (29,12 percent) on the same day in 2019.
“The determined earthquake parameters show that the earthquake occurred at Latitude -16.678S and Longitude 28.581E.The epicentre is in Kariba Dam and it was widely felt in Kariba urban,” said a report from MET Department.
Several people confirmed feeling the ground shaking and rattling of utensils in the house.
MSD said further investigation to determine the intensity of the earthquake and areas it affected were underway.
The epicentre of the earthquake has been determined to be in Kariba Dam.
“No reports of damage were received however more inquiries would be made to determine its intensity in the locality and to determine the exact areas it was felt,” reads a statement from MSD.
Since the filling of the lake in 1963, seismic activity has been recorded.
This is also compounded by the lake falling in the Mid-Zambezi basin.
According to a ZRA report, lake levels are rising steadily as inflows continue.
“The Lake level has continued rising steadily, closing the period under review at 481.22m (40.97% usable storage) on 18th June 2020. Last year on the same date, the Lake level was at 479.63m (29.12% usable storage),” reads the report.
So why the heck do we still have massive load shedding if the water levels are steadily rising?
The next thing we will hear is the earthquake has caused the water to drop hence the continued loadshedding. PF Government will ride on blame to cover their inefficiencies
Oh lord jehovah protect us and our country with your blood , against all the evil wishes from the opposition and diasporans. We know these people are praying demonically for destruction and confusion in our country because they think they can obtain power that way. Thank you for protecting us. AMEN
I am glad that yours is Lord god jehovah, and not our Lord God Jehovah, whose name cannot be taken in vain.
African democracy is in crisis – VJ
DEMOCRACY in Africa is in crisis, says Vernon Mwaanga.
The veteran politician said the new generation of African leaders had developed atrocious habits of treating national resources as personal and thereby lowering the bar of integrity.
Mwaanga said many of them use their offices to amass wealth for themselves, their families and friends.
“They use national wealth not for development or the banishment of poverty, but to satisfy their greed, power and prestige, then they cross the red line. It is immoral for wealth no matter how little, to tolerate poverty. The pattern we have been seeing in many African countries is ruthless competition between close subordinates of presidents, not to acquire money to feed, clothe or house themselves, but to give…
Which earthquake? Don’t bring excuses to prolong loadshedding. We know PF hsd failed in everything.
PF must go!
Nyami Nyami nafulwa, you are not appeasing him correctly!! Let the traditionalists play homage to him!!
Now it’s earthquake. First weather
Pattern then low water levels.can
We guess next? HH created earthquake.
What exactly is wrong with our country? How come we have to get info from our friends in Zim and yet no comment from anyone in Zambia, as if the incident did not affect Zambians. The same happened with the object falling from the sky in Chibombo and still no comment from relevant authorities. Waiting for Tanzania or DRC to comment for us? Wake up Zambian scientists, what is wrong kanshi?
Pf never gets tired of story telling to excuse themselves. There is always a plan after an excuse is made known. Next thing is that u remember the Earth quake that shaked the dam. We have discovered there was actually a damage so we have hired Chinese to do maintenance since Zambians can’t handle the work required.
The quake was trying to remind the liars that if they continue lying to us, it will bring down their ill gotten mansions.