Director of the Seismological Institute: Kosovo is a seismic zone, we may have an earthquake of up to 6.5 on the Richter scale

The Director of the Seismological Institute, Shemsi Mustafa, spoke about today's earthquake that hit Kosovo.

He said that this earthquake is of medium magnitude, but added that citizens are scared.

"The earthquake had a magnitude of 4.8 on the Richter scale. The epicenter was 22-23 km east of Prizren, near Shtërpce. It was an earthquake of such magnitude that it created panic and concern for the citizens of Kosovo. It was of average magnitude, but the citizen thinks it is a very powerful earthquake," Mustafa said in Klan Kosova.

He said that the Prizren area is a seismic zone, which has generated earthquakes in the past, but could generate even larger earthquakes in the future.

"It is well known that Prizren was previously hit by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake. All citizens should know that the territory of Kosovo is a seismic zone. There are some areas that can be hit by stronger earthquakes, and some by lower ones. There are three areas that can be hit by earthquakes with a maximum magnitude of 6.5 on the Richter scale. We must always refer to the historical catalog."

"We must refer to seismic hazard maps because they are studies that calculate many parameters, such as the historical catalog which is the main parameter, then there is tectonics, neotectonics, seismotectonics, topography of geological information, and with all these calculated parameters, seismic hazard maps are compiled that provide the recurrence period for a possible earthquake and with probability. And in fact, based on the seismic hazard map, with a probability of 72.6%, Kosovo could be hit in the recurrence period of 100 years with a magnitude of 6.5 on the Richter scale. All citizens of Kosovo should know this information", declared Mustafa.