Seismic sequence in Almaty (Kazakhstan) 1-2 May 2011
Last update: 3 May 2011 at 07:35 UTC
Since 1st May 2011, the region of Eastern Kazakhstan is experiencing an important seismic activity with more than 8 events of magnitude larger 4.0 in 2 days. The main shock of magnitude Mw 5.4 occurred on May 1st at 02:31 UTC, 76km North East of Almaty. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. More information on this main shock is available here.
List of earthquakes of the Almaty seismic sequence:
| Date | Location | Depth | Magnitude | Felt event |
| 2011-05-02 02:31:09.0 | 43.70 N 77.54 E | 2 | mb 4.2 | map |
| 2011-05-01 23:52:39.9 | 43.61 N 77.69 E | 1 | mb 4.1 | |
| 2011-05-01 23:27:25.6 | 43.60 N 77.70 E | 1 | mb 4.1 | |
| 2011-05-01 20:29:04.0 | 43.74 N 77.64 E | 15 | mb 4.7 | map |
| 2011-05-01 11:37:11.0 | 43.81 N 77.45 E | 20 | mb 4.9 | map |
| 2011-05-01 09:13:55.0 | 43.64 N 77.63 E | 20 | mb 4.8 | map |
| 2011-05-01 07:41:39.0 | 43.68 N 77.64 E | 2 | mb 3.5 | |
| 2011-05-01 04:07:02.5 | 43.65 N 77.70 E | 1 | mb 3.2 | |
| 2011-05-01 03:05:49.7 | 43.70 N 77.69 E | 3 | mb 4.0 | |
| 2011-05-01 02:31:29.0 | 43.63 N 77.76 E | 23 | Mw 5.4 | map |
These earthquakes occurred within the Kazakhstan platform, which lies North of the Tien Shan Mountains. The Tien Shan region is a highly seismic area at the boundary between the Tarim bassin and the stable Kazakhstan platform, resulting from the complex Indian plate subduction under the Eurasian plate.
On January 3rd, 1911, the Kebin earthquake of magnitude 8.2 struck the city of Almaty, making 450 victims. It occurred about 100km from the May 1st 2011 earthquake. (source: T. Utsu ; International Handbook of Earthquake and Engineering Seismology; vol. A; 691-718). On June 8th 1887, a similar event of magnitude 7.3 took place.
If you have experienced one of these earthquakes, you are invited to answer the online questionnaire. Your testimony will be useful to update the Intensity map below, where intensities correspond to the effects of the earthquake.
Aftershocks locations
Regional seismicity
Felt & Damage reports
This earthquake sequence was widely felt by the population while there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. Information provided by witnesses are available here.
Felt map of the Almaty main shock Mw 5.4 2011/05/01 02:31UTC
(generated with the results of the online questionnaire)
(click to enlarge)
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Epicenter location
 Main Shock Epicenter Location |
 Moment Tensors Solutions |