4.2-magnitude earthquake rattles Son La, seismic activity persists in region
VOV.VN - A 4.2-magnitude earthquake struck the northern mountainous province of Son La on the morning of October 19, causing noticeable shaking but no reported damage.
The earthquake occurred at 6:59:21 a.m. in Ta Hoc commune at a depth of approximately 12 kilometres, according to the Earthquake Information and Tsunami Warning Centre under the Institute of Earth Sciences. The natural disaster risk level was classified Level 0.
Residents near the epicentre and in neighbouring areas reported feeling buildings, household objects and the ground shake briefly. No damage had been reported at the time of the initial announcement.
An earlier earthquake, measuring magnitude 2.6, occurred in the same area at 6:35 a.m., also at a depth of around 12km. The two events were recorded just 24 minutes apart, and the epicentre was reported to be approximately 180km from Hanoi.
The Centre said it is continuing to monitor seismic activity in the area.
Son La lies in a seismically active part of northwestern Vietnam, where major geological fault zones, including the Song Ma fault, can generate earthquakes when accumulated stress is released.
A magnitude-4.0 earthquake struck Muong Hung commune in Son La on May 10, 2026. According to Nguyen Xuan Anh, director of the Institute of Earth Sciences, that event was tectonic and associated with the Song Ma fault zone, which extends from Dien Bien and Son La towards Thanh Hoa and into parts of Laos.
The region has also experienced stronger earthquakes in the past. A magnitude-5.3 earthquake struck the Moc Chau area in 2020, while two earthquakes measuring 5.2 and 4.0 occurred in the former Song Ma District on December 31, 2010. Another magnitude-4.2 event followed in the same area in May 2011.
Although the latest Son La earthquake was assigned a natural disaster risk level of 0 and no damage was initially reported, residents should stay alert to official information and follow safety guidance during and after tremors.
Minor earthquakes strike Son La and Hue, no damage reported
VOV.VN - The Earthquake and Tsunami Warning Centre under the Institute of Earth Sciences (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) has reported two earthquakes in northern Son La Province and central Hue City, with magnitudes ranging from 3.6 to 4.0.
