The US Geological Survey reports that eastern Tajikistan was struck by a 6.8-magnitude earthquake on Thursday. At a depth of approximately 20.5 kilometers, the earthquake occurred around 5.37 a.m. local time.
According to reports from AFP, the epicenter appeared to be in Gorno-Badakhshan, a semi-autonomous eastern region that borders China and Afghanistan and is approximately 67 kilometers from the small mountain town of Murghob.
About 20 minutes after the initial quake, a 5.0-magnitude aftershock and a 4.6-magnitude quake struck the region.
The agency estimated that "little or no population" would be affected by the earthquake's landslides.
Lake Sarez is located in the territory, surrounded by the majestic Pamir Mountains. One of Tajikistan's largest lakes, the aquamarine-colored body of water was created by an earthquake in 1911.
A natural dam deep in the Pamir Mountains is hidden behind Lake Sarez, and experts have warned that breaching the dam will have catastrophic effects.
Tajikistan has a long history of flooding, earthquakes, landslides, avalanches, and heavy snowfalls, making it extremely vulnerable to natural disasters.
Nine people were killed in an avalanche on February 15 in Gorno-Badakhshan, and another person was killed the same day in an avalanche on a highway near Dushanbe, the capital.
In the meantime, a massive earthquake in Turkey and Syria damaged or destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes and killed over 47,000 people. Six people were killed in a 6.4-magnitude earthquake that struck again two weeks later.
According to the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) of Turkey, it was followed by 90 aftershocks, further traumatizing Antakya residents who were left homeless and living in tents by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake on February 6.
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