Strong and shallow M6.1 earthquake hits Laos – Thailand border region

A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit Laos – Thailand border region at 23:50 UTC on November 20, 2019 (06:50 LT, November 21). The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 33 km (20 miles).

The epicenter was located 44 km (27 miles) WNW of Sainyabuli (population 13 500), Laos and 53 km (33 miles) ENE of Chiang Klang (population 13 244), Thailand.

There are 1 020 000 people living within 100 km (62 miles).

8 000 people are estimated to have felt strong shaking, 127 000 moderate and 2 986 000 light.

Bounphak Inthapanya, deputy governor of the Xayabury Province, told reporters with local online newspaper Vientiane Times that all the districts of the province might be affected by the earthquake with Hongsa district being worse hit.

"Some buildings were damaged, but the provincial government has not received a detailed report of damage and casualties," he said.

The deputy governor also said that the provincial government has dispatched officials to every district to collect earthquake information.

The USGS issued a green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.

Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though resistant structures exist.

The predominant vulnerable building types are informal (metal, timber, GI etc.) and unknown/miscellaneous types construction.

Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking

Selected cities exposed

Regional seismicity

Featured image credit: Google, TW/SAM