Tiraspol, 14 August. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. In the next 50 years, a powerful earthquake of magnitude 7 may occur in Pridnestrovie's southern and central regions and of magnitude 6 in the north. According to the director of the centre of seismic observations and forecasts of Pridnestrovian State University, Ivan Kapitalchuk, the possibility of such a scenario is 10%.
«In some places, the force of the earthquake may be much higher due to the properties of the soil on which the building is located," the director told a PGTRK journalist.
The WCS-64 seismic intensity scale measures the force of the earthquake on the surface, that is, its immediate destructive effect. The six points on this scale mean that thrusts will be strong enough, with slight damages of buildings, such as plaster cracks. The earthquake of magnitude 7 results in cracked walls major damages. Eight-point tremors can ruin the most unstable elements, such as ledges, balconies and chimneys.
However, according to Kapitalchik, since the 1980s earthquake-resistant buildings have been constructed in Pridnestrovie so that even if a powerful earthquake occurs, it will not cause enormous destruction
Under threat are older buildings, as well as individual buildings and blocks of flats, whose inhabitants have made an unauthorised redesign, thus violating the stability of the building.
The director said that at present scientists cannot predict exactly where and when an earthquake will take place, as well as its force.
Nevertheless, the main source of seismic danger has been defined in Pridnestrovie. It is the Romanian region of Vrancea, located at the junction of the Carpathian Arc. Not so long ago, seismologists overrated the danger it may present. If earlier the magnitude of underground tremors in Vrancea was estimated at 7.9 points on the Richter scale, the latest research suggests that an earthquake of magnitude 8.1 can occur in this area.
With the epicentre at the depth of 80−150 km, tremors of such strength will be felt as 8-point strong.
However, the farther the distance from the epicentre is, the more its force is dampened.
During this August, Vrancea's seismic activities have intensified. From 1 to 13 August, slight earthquakes occurred nearly every day.
Those that take place on 1, 2 and 8 August could be felt in Pridnestrovie. The magnitude of tremors reached 4 points, and the force of the seismological wave that reached Pridnestrovie was 3−3.5 points.
According to Sputnik Moldova, two earthquakes occurred in Vrancea on 13 August. The magnitude of the first of them was 2.6, with the epicentre at the depth of 96 km.
The second one occurred in an hour with the epicentre near Kovasna. Its magnitude was 2.1. According to Romanian seismologists, it is likely that a new wave of stronger underground tremors should be awaited.
