Mustafa: Kosovo seismic area, we could have quakes up to 6.5 on Richter

Seismological Institute Director Shemsi Mustafa, in the special edition, has spoken about today's earthquake that hit Kosovo.

He said this earthquake is medium size, but added that citizens are scared.

“The earthquake was 4.8th size of the Richter scale. The Epicentre was 22-23km east of Prizren, near Sterpce. It was an earthquake of size that created panic and concern for Kosovo citizens, with average size, but the citizen thinks it is a very powerful earthquake”, Mustafa said.

He said the Prizren area is a seismic area, which has generated earthquakes in the past, but could generate even bigger earthquakes in the future.

It is well known that Prizren was hit earlier by a 6.8 earthquake. All citizens must know that Kosovo's territory is seismic. There are areas that can be hit with more powerful earthquakes, some with lower ones. There are three areas that can be hit with earthquakes with a maximum magnitude of 6.5 on the Richter scale. We always have to refer to the historical catalog”.

We have to refer to seismic risk maps because it's a study that's calculated many parameters, such as the main parameter catalog, then it's tectonics, neotechtonics, sysmotechtonics, geology topography, and all these calculated parameters are compiled seismic risk maps that give it a recurring period for a possible and probability earthquake. And actually, based on the map of seismic risk, with a probability of 72.6% could hit Kosovo in the repeat period of 100 years with a 6.5 magnitude on the Ritter scale. All Kosovo citizens must know this information”, Mustafa said.

Geological Service confirms earthquake: There was potential risking citizens and causing damage

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