(ECNS) — China's Ministry of Natural Resources has completed inspections of potential geological hazard sites within 50 kilometers (about 31 miles) of the epicenter of a magnitude 7.0 earthquake that struck Baqen County in Nagqu, in southwestern China's Xizang Autonomous Region on Thursday, the ministry said.
The ministry activated a Level III emergency response for geological disaster prevention and sent an additional seven-member expert team to the quake-hit area. Working alongside local specialists, the team is inspecting the area for secondary geological disasters triggered by the earthquake.
Experts analyzed satellite imagery taken before and after the quake to assess 80 glacial lakes and 145 glaciers within 50 kilometers of the epicenter. The analysis showed that the earthquake had a limited overall impact on glaciers and glacial lakes in the affected area, with no signs of earthquake-triggered glacial lake outburst disasters detected so far, the ministry said.
The Xizang Autonomous Region Department of Natural Resources activated a Level II emergency response for geological disaster prevention and mapped potential geological hazard sites within 100 kilometers (about 62 miles) of the epicenter. It deployed experts and technical personnel to conduct emergency inspections around the epicenter using drones and satellite navigation equipment.
As of the latest update, natural resources authorities had deployed 78 personnel, 21 vehicles and 13 drones, organizing the teams into 18 groups to inspect geological safety at temporary shelters, assess slope stability around homes and residential areas, and check for signs of movement at previously identified hazard sites.
Inspectors had checked 157 potential geological hazard sites, including 122 previously identified sites and 35 newly identified ones. Authorities put preventive measures in place at all sites deemed high-risk.
The ministry said no casualties from secondary geological disasters had been reported.
(By Zhang Dongfang)
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