Zimbabwe experiences earthquake in Chipinge

Zimbabwe was hit by earthquake this week in the eastern district of Chipinge along its border with Mozambique.

The country’s meteorological department reported on Thursday evening that a tremor that measured 5.6 on the Richter scale occurred just after 7PM  having spread from the neighbouring Mozambique.

Many local residents who spoke to reporters expressed shock over what they described as a frightening rambling and shaking of the ground.

Mozambique and surrounding areas in Manicaland, eastern Zimbabwe,  are located within the line of weakness of the Great East African Rift System, which extends all the way from the Red Sea in the north to Manicaland  Zimbabwe and into Mozambique in the south.

Speaking to news reporters on Friday, Mr Kwangwari Marimira of Zimbabwe Meteorological Services said;

“We recorded a number of foreshocks on September 21 thus indicating how susceptible the area is to earthquakes,” he said.

Zimbabwe records minor earthquakes on a yearly bases and so far this year there has been over 6 earthquakes reported in places like Kariba, Chinhoyi and Bulawayo.

The main causes of earthquakes in Zimbabwe are largely plate tectonics closely related to the east African rift system, mining and reservoir induced.

No injuries or death have ever been reported in Zimbabwe.