A 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck a sparsely populated area of Tajikistan in central Asia on Monday, shaking nearby nations, the United States Geological Survey reported. The tremor hit at 12:50 p.m. local time. It's epicenter was located about 65 miles west of the mountainous region of Murghob, Tajikistan, and 85 miles northeast of Khorugh, Tajikistan.
Striking at a depth of 17.3 miles, buildings and its residents as far away as New Delhi and Pakistan could feel the earthquake, reported CNN. Witnesses in Afgahistan and Krygyzstan also reported feeling the quakes.
Officials were sent to investigate but found no instances of structural damage or injuries.
The earthquake produced several aftershocks, with a 4.8-magnitude one occuring at about 1:24 p.m. local time at the same location as the 7.2-magnitude quake, according to Accuweather.
Furthermore, at least three occurred about 32 miles southeast of Karakul, Tajikistan, between 1:55 p.m. and 3:05 p.m., while a 5.5-magnitude earthquake occurred 18 miles southeast of Chayek.
The region could face a disastrous outcome if Lake Sarez, which formed following an earthquake in 1911, is impacted by a seismic activity. The lake, which was 13.6 away from the initial quake, has 10.5 cubic miles of water that could spill into the region if its dam breaks.
