Seismologists predict decreasing earthquake activity in Haenam, South Korea

Seismologists are forecasting a decrease in earthquake activity in the Haenam region of South Korea, following a cluster of minor tremors in recent weeks. The area has registered approximately 70 earthquakes around magnitude 2.0 this month, culminating in a magnitude 3.1 event on August 23.

Experts convened on August 26 to analyze the seismic patterns and causes. They noted that both the current series of earthquakes and a similar cluster in 2020 occurred within a small area, roughly 500 meters long and 300 meters wide, with slight spatial separation. This suggests a localized geological phenomenon.

Drawing parallels with the 2020 seismic activity, which saw a magnitude 3.2 earthquake followed by a gradual decrease in tremors, scientists believe that the recent magnitude 3.1 event in Haenam may have released a significant portion of the accumulated stress. Consequently, they anticipate a downward trend in future seismic activity.

Past occurrences in other regions, such as Boryeong in 2013 and Baengnyeong Island in 2019, also featured similar sequences of continuous small earthquakes that did not escalate into larger events. To ensure accurate detection of micro-earthquakes and monitor any potential future activity, experts recommended installing additional seismometers near the epicenter and conducting long-term surveillance.

The 2020 Haenam earthquakes were analyzed as resulting from the reactivation of a northwest-southeast trending fault system, characterized by strike-slip movement. The Korea Meteorological Administration is currently pursuing research projects, including the development of integrated models for underground faults and velocity structures, to enhance the precise detection of seismic activity across the Korean peninsula and investigate the underlying fault lines responsible for earthquakes.