Seismological Service Center comments on reports of 8-magnitude earthquake

Baku. 20 February. REPORT.AZ/ Gurban Yetirmishli, head of the Republican Seismological Service Center under the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, active correspondent member of ANAS has commented on the reports of a 8-magnitude earthquake to hit the Earth on February 21.

Yetirmishli told Report that no devastating earthquake is expected in Azerbaijan: "Different magnitude earthquakes occur in the world every day. Generally, 100 earthquakes are recorded on the Earth throughout the year. There are also destructive earthquakes. Most of the recorded earthquakes are between 5.5 to 8-magnitude. Even if you look into the nearest past, you will observe that many countries around the world suffer from earthquake."

According to head of the center, aftershocks that are recorded in the seismic territories of Azerbaijan, are decreasing: "About 600 aftershocks have been recorded since February 5. It is normal to observe aftershocks after earthquake They will die down gradually since energy discharge process occurred under the earth. If 20-30 aftershocks were recorded before, their number has dropped to 5-6."

He added that destructive earthquakes may occur at any time: "However, no destructive earthquake is expected in Azerbaijan in the near future."