Geologist says strong earthquake may hit Hungary soon

According to a scientific associate of the Institute of Earth Physics and Space Science of Sopron, István János Kovács, Hungary could be hit by a larger earthquake every 50 years. Taking the previous data into consideration, an earthquake of a magnitude of 5 or 6 may be imminent in our country.

István János Kovács gave a lecture on the first anniversary of the establishment of the Geodynamic Station. In the report prepared by members of the Institute of Earth Physics and Space Science, Topo-Transylvania and MTA FI Pannon LitH2Oscope, he detailed why the station was built, and the results of the first year’s research.

Are earthquakes predictable?

The exact time and place of an earthquake cannot be predicted. However, we can see the signs that precede these disastrous geological events by using certain methods.

The Pannonian Basin is the location of unique phenomena. After thorough research, the founders of the institute picked Badacsonytördemic as the best place for the station. Not only is it situated on the structural fault lines, but researchers also measured higher than average radon and carbon dioxin concentrations in the area. The experts can estimate an upcoming earthquake, even days before its occurrence, by detecting changes in the concentration level of the abovementioned chemical compounds. Since the opening of the station, they have recorded several small earth tremors.

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Looking back at the data from previous earthquakes and conducting statistical predictions can also help.

Since a larger earthquake can occur in every 50 years, taking the previous data into consideration, a significant tremor of a magnitude of 5 or 6 may be imminent in our country,

says István János Kovács. This was their main reason for building the station. Researchers measure the composition of the air and the concentration of the gases in the soil to tell the probability of an earthquake.

After a year in operation, the station lived up to its expectations. It successfully measured the 3.4-magnitude earthquake that hit Répcelak and Csepreg in July 2022. The two towns are about 80 kilometres away but are connected by a fault line. The Hungarian researchers have been constantly working on finding new methods to forecast geological events. They plan to extend the study and build another station on the Curvature Carpathians, working together with Romanian and Hungarian colleagues.

Read alsoAn earthquake was detected in the Hungarian Répcelak area

Source: VEOL, Sokszínű vidék