The Hong Kong Observatory stated that a local felt earthquake reported by citizens was detected through the seismic network today (11th). According to the preliminary analysis of the Hong Kong Observatory, a magnitude 2.0 earthquake occurred on Lantau Island in Hong Kong at 1:22 pm today. The epicenter was located near 22.27 degrees north latitude and 113.98 degrees east longitude, which is about 20 kilometers west of the Hong Kong Observatory (that is, about 20 kilometers west of Hong Kong). , the focal depth is about 10 kilometers.
The Hong Kong Observatory received reports from more than 10 citizens who said they felt slight vibrations that lasted for several seconds. Preliminary analysis shows that the earthquake intensity in Hong Kong is Level III (3) of the revised Macquarie Seismic Intensity Scale, which means it can be felt indoors. Vibrations similar to those of a passing minivan.
According to the Observatory, the epicenter of the felt earthquake recorded in Lantau Island today (11th) was located east of Mui Wo and near Lung Mei Hang.
The Hong Kong Observatory’s felt earthquake records began in 1905. From 1905 to 1978, a total of 109 felt earthquakes of varying intensities were recorded. Since the Hong Kong short-period seismic network came into operation in 1979, an average of about two felt earthquakes have been recorded every year.
1918 Earthquake Damages Buildings
Since 1905, no felt earthquakes in Hong Kong have directly caused any casualties, and most of them have an intensity of“Revision of the Macquarie Earthquake Intensity Scale”Below V (five) degrees, the highest record is VI to VII (six to seven) degrees caused by an earthquake near Shantou, more than 300 kilometers away from Hong Kong, in 1918. The 1918 earthquake caused minor damage to the walls of a few buildings in Hong Kong and was the only earthquake in history to cause damage in Hong Kong. The most powerful earthquake felt in Hong Kong in recent years occurred in 1994, with an intensity of V to VI (five to six), and its epicenter was located in the southern part of the Taiwan Strait.
Most of the epicenters of Hong Kong’s felt earthquakes are outside Hong Kong, such as Taiwan, the northern part of the South China Sea, Guangdong’s Heyuan and Yangjiang, the border between Guangdong and Fujian, the Beibu Gulf, and the Philippines. There are only a few earthquakes with epicenters located within Hong Kong. Since the Hong Kong Short-Period Seismic Network was put into operation in 1979, examples include Mai Po (1 time) in 1983, Lantau Island in 1982 (2 times) and 1995 (3 times). In the sea area to the east, the earthquakes caused by earthquakes in 2014 (once) near Tai Lam Chung Reservoir and in 2019 (once) on Cheung Chau were all minor, with the intensity below V (5).
Earthquake data map released by the Observatory.
