Latest update on the earthquake occurred on 23.01.2024

On 23 January 2024 at 00h 9 min Astana time, the seismic stations on the territory of Kazakhstan recorded the largest earthquake. All stations of the monitoring network of the National Nuclear Centre of Kazakhstan recorded this event.

According to the data of the Centre for Acquisition and Processing of Seismic Information IGR NNC RK, the parameters of this earthquake are as follows:

Origin time Тₒ = 18 h 09 min 05 sec (GMT, January 22, 2024)

Latitude 41,23 N

Longitude 78,59ᵒ Е

Focal depth 13 км.

Magnitude M_b = 7,27

Magnitude  Mw = 7,0

The origin of this earthquake was located on the territory of China (Southern Xinjiang) in Kok-Shaal-Tau ridge near the border with Kyrgyz Republic.

The distance to Almaty city is 260 km. Figure 1 shows a map of the earthquake epicenter location and historical seismicity of the region since 1900.

Figure 1. The map of earthquakes epicenters by historical data since 1900 (circles) and earthquake epicenter of January 23 (star).

Figure 2 shows the accelerometer record by KNDC seismic station located in Almaty and belonging to the NNC RK monitoring stations network.

According to the acceleration records of KNDC station it is possible to calculate the intensity of shaking by the instrumental data in Almaty.  The maximum acceleration on the east-west component was 19.8 cm/s², that on the MSK-64 (K) scale corresponds to 5 points.

Figure 2. The results of accelerometer data processing recorded by KNDC station (Almaty). Calculated using software [Kashima T. 2002. ViewWave Help, IISEE, BRI].

The earthquake was felt by almost everyone in the city of Almaty, both on the high and ground floors of multi-story buildings and in private houses. Chandeliers swayed, books and objects fell. People were frightened and left their flats, tried to leave the city by car, traffic jams formed on the main streets of the city, panic spread among the population. 

Immediately after the main earthquake, a series of aftershocks - subsequent shocks from the same center began to be recorded. By the morning of 23 January (10 hours after the main earthquake), 22 repeated earthquakes of magnitude ≥4.0 had been recorded (Fig. 3).  More than 100 smaller aftershocks occurred. The largest aftershock had magnitude 5.7.

Figure 3. The map shows the epicenter of the main shock and aftershocks of magnitude ≥4,0 for ten hours.

Figure 4 shows the aftershock records by “Podgornoye” NNC RK station and the amin shock records.

Figure 4. Aftershocks records by “Podgornoye” station. In the beginning – the main shock record. The total length of the record in the Figure is 8 hours.

The intensity of shaking in the epicenter of the main shock reached 8-9 points. On the southern coast of Issyk-Kul it was 5-6 points, the whole territory of Almaty city and suburbs 5 points, Bishkek city 3-4 points. This earthquake was felt on the territory of China, Central Asian countries (Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan), Azerbaijan, India, and Russia.

The historical seismicity of the earthquake origin area is traditionally very high. On the map for events with a magnitude greater than 5, we can see a large number of earthquakes. The strongest according to historical data was the Kashgar earthquake in 1902 with a magnitude ~ 8, the epicenter of which was located 200 km south-west of the origin of the earthquake occurred on 23.01.2024. This region will continue to experience strong earthquakes in the future. But for the city of Almaty their effects will not be destructive.

The update information was prepared by:

Head of Data Center, Doctor of Physics and Mathematics, Mikhailova N.N.

Deputy of Data Center Director Mukambayev A.S.

Statement from Dr. Robert Floyd Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization Vienna, Austria 18 October 2023

Today’s decision by the State Duma of the Russian Federation to pass a law revoking Russia’s ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is very disappointing and deeply regrettable.

This decision goes against renewed global determination to see the CTBT enter into force.

The mission to end nuclear testing enjoys near universal support. In the last two years, nine additional States have signed or ratified the CTBT, bringing the total number of signatures to 187 and ratifications to 178. I am confident this strong momentum will continue.

The Russian Federation has stated that revoking its ratification does not mean it is withdrawing from the CTBT and that it remains committed to the Treaty, including the operation of all CTBTO monitoring stations on its territory and the sharing of that data with all states. The Russian Federation has indicated that it will remain a member of the CTBTO Preparatory Commission, with the same obligations and rights as all other States Signatories.

I continue to join the international community in calling on all States that have not ratified the Treaty, particularly those whose ratification is required for entry into force, to do so without delay.

This global community will not change course. We remain deeply committed to the mission of achieving a world without nuclear testing, a mission which is more important now than ever.

Background

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) bans all nuclear explosions everywhere, by everyone, and for all time. Adherence to the Treaty is nearly universal, with 187 signatory states and 178 ratifying states. To enter into force, the Treaty must be ratified by all 44 States listed in its Annex 2, for which eight ratifications are still required.

The CTBT establishes an International Monitoring System (IMS) to ensure that no nuclear explosion goes undetected. Currently, 305 certified facilities – of a total of 337 when complete – are operating around the world, using four main technologies: seismic, hydroacoustic, infrasound and radionuclide. 

Participation of the IGR NNC RK Data Center specialists at the course arranged by the Japan International Cooperation Agency on global seismological observations

The international community is endeavoring to bring the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) into force and to finalize the International Monitoring System (IMS) to verify compliance with the CTBT. Surveillance technology using seismological methods plays an important role in the verification of the CTBT. At the initiative of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in 1995, the International Institute of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering (IISEE), in cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), launched a training course on global seismological observations as part of Japan's contribution to nuclear disarmament.

The IIISEE has made significant efforts to develop human resources. These specialists, with the assistance of Japanese trainers, acquire the skills necessary to detect nuclear tests using seismic observations. They also learn the data analysis techniques required to identify nuclear tests in support of the CTBT using IMS stations data.

To improve the qualification in the field of monitoring, the scientific personnel of the Data Center IGR NNC RK, Uzbekov Abylay and Isagali Asem, attended the 'Global Seismological Observation' training course from 8th January to 2nd March 2024. The photo shows the course participants, organizers, and instructors at the course opening.

Statement from Dr. Robert Floyd Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization Vienna, Austria 9 October 2023

I am concerned that the Russian Federation is taking steps towards revoking its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). Today, the Council of the State Duma decided to consider this matter further.

The CTBT is a powerful instrument for global good, and it is a vital part of the international peace and security architecture.

I have been in close and regular contact with senior Russian Federation officials, making the case that ratifying the CTBT remains both in Russia’s national interest, as well as in the interest of all humanity. I have also requested the opportunity to meet with key leaders in Moscow as soon as possible.

Only through the CTBT’s entry into force can we fully realise its promise of a universal ban on nuclear testing. I will continue to vigorously pursue that goal and call on all eight States whose ratification is required for the entry into force of the CTBT to do so.

The CTBTO operates a global monitoring system which can detect a nuclear test explosion anytime, anywhere. Banning nuclear testing remains essential to preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and to safeguarding current and future generations from the harmful effects of explosive nuclear testing.

I count on the Russian Federation to continue to contribute to these efforts, including completion of its segment of the International Monitoring System.

Background

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) bans all nuclear explosions everywhere, by everyone, and for all time. Adherence to the Treaty is nearly universal, with 187 signatory states and 178 ratifying states. To enter into force, the Treaty must be ratified by all 44 States listed in its Annex 2, for which eight ratifications are still required.