Earthquakes of less than 7 on the Richter scale are likely to occur in the northwestern region of Vietnam , research shows.

Earthquakes in that region follow a cycle of 40-50 years in general, and up to 500 years in the vicinity of Tuan Giao district in Dien Bien province.

In 1935, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake shook the northwestern region, while a quake of 6.7 was recorded in Tuan Giao in 1983.

The 3.4-Richter scale earthquake in Lai Chau province’s Muong Te district at 0:34 am on October 20, 2014 was in line with the geological patterns of the region, according to Assoc. Prof. Dr Cao Dinh Trieu from the Institute of Geophysics under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology.

Its epicentre was located at 22.23 degrees North and 103.01 degrees East at a depth of 7km, he noted, adding that the tremor did not damage any property or harm any individuals.

Trieu said several faults in the region, such as Bac Yen-Muong La in Son La province and Muong Te, had moved recently, causing earthquakes of 4 in magnitude on the Richter scale.

VNA/VNN