Experts Warn of Potential Larger Earthquake in the Future

Earthquake expert Professor Humayun Akhtar has stated that today’s earthquake serves as a warning of a possible larger earthquake in the coming days.

He said, ‘A bigger earthquake could happen soon. Today’s earthquake is giving that warning. The plate that was stuck is now moving from its locked position. In the future, a larger earthquake will occur in this region, as we have been predicting since 2016.’

At 10:38 am on Friday, the earthquake was felt across Dhaka and the entire country, measuring 5.7 in magnitude.

Experts consider this the largest earthquake in the country’s recorded history. Former professor of the Geology Department at Dhaka University and ex-vice chancellor of Bangladesh Open University, Dr. Syed Humayun Akhtar, said, ‘Our country is prone to earthquakes. The intensity of today’s quake is due to the eastern edge being the Burma Plate and the western edge being the Indian Plate; the earthquake occurred at this junction, which had been locked until today’s 5.7 magnitude quake. The locked portion has now released.’

Professor Humayun Akhtar added, ‘Fortunately, this was not a 7 or 7.5 magnitude earthquake. But a quake of that magnitude could occur very soon, as energy amounting to 8.2 to 9 magnitude has been accumulating, and our research shows this energy must be released. Today, a considerable portion, roughly equivalent to a 6-magnitude quake, was released. Thousands of times more energy remains stored. That energy will also be released, and today’s earthquake is evidence of this. The quake occurred at the same junction.’

He further stated, ‘We had previously forecasted that energy equivalent to an 8-magnitude earthquake is accumulated here. Only a small portion has been released today. There has never been such a strong earthquake within Bangladesh. The intensity of shaking on the surface was the highest on record. The depth of the earthquake was approximately 10 kilometres.’

Professor Humayun Akhtar emphasised, ‘We have long advised the public on precautionary measures. People should be trained to reach a safe location within a few steps during an earthquake.’

Khaborwala/TSN