4.8 Quake Rattles Kangwon Province

After an earthquake registering magnitude of 4.8 on the Richter scale shook Doam, in Pyungchang, Gangwon-do on January 20, some experts warned of another possible earthquake. It was the most powerful measured quake ever reported after 29 years when a 5.0-magnitude earthquake rattled Hongsung, Chungnam back in October 1978.

According to Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), the 4.8-magnitude earthquake was centered 23 kilometers from west of Gangreung, Gangwon. It happened at 8:56:51 on Saturday evening. Four aftershocks following the earthquake have been reported until the next day morning, January 21. However, they were measured less than 2.0, which were unable to sense. The KMA reported that no further aftershocks are predicted.

The National Emergency Management Agency stated there were no reports of either injuries or damage from the quake.

The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said it will enhance its monitoring systems around the site where the quake took place and also increase its manpower for 24 hour monitoring. On January 22, some experts will assemble for an analysis meeting. The cause for this quake is expected to be reported upon the results of the analysis work.

Meanwhile, Ji Hun-cheol, chief of the Korea Earthquake Research Center at the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, said, “There is a possibility of another moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 5.0 within the next couple of years.”

Ji added, “An earthquake has been usually reported on Korea within two years after strong tremors have taken place in Japan or China.” He pointed out, “We have to keep an eye on whether the quake that hit Fukuoka, Japan in 2005 will cause the same consequences on the Korean peninsula.”

At a seminar on earthquakes hosted by the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) last April, Professor Choi Seung-chan’s remark (an expert on remote sensing satellites) drew extraordinary attention among scholars when he insisted, “The results of some magnetics and gravity analyses show that the Korea peninsular might be located on the boundaries of tectonic plates, which is exposed to the risk of seismic activity.”

kimkihy@donga.com