By Wezi Tjaronda WINDHOEK The Geological Survey of Namibia (GSN) has confirmed that Opuwo experienced an earthquake of magnitude 3.0 on the Richter’s scale a few minutes after 19h00 last Friday. The earthquake, which was felt by residents in Opuwo, occurred 20 km west of Opuwo on April 27 and was generated by the activity of faults west of the town, the seat of Kunene Region. Residents of Opuwo were in shock and panic when the earthquake struck and shook the ground for a few seconds, then striking again five times the same evening as after shocks. No power interruptions, injuries or loss of life were reported. Its impact was however felt on the movement of people and the small business operators at the town. A seismologist with GSN, Mangongolo Azangi, told New Era yesterday Opuwo is but one of many areas in the country with faults. He said in general the seismicity of Namibia is regarded as moderate because since 1910 until now, earthquakes have been felt but the country has not recorded a major earthquake. Areas with geological faults that are active (areas that have recorded a seismic event) apart from Opuwo are Windhoek, Waterberg, Khorixas and Bethanie. He was however quick to mention that not all areas with faults are active. Eros in Windhoek felt an earthquake in 2006, with the most recent, according to Azangi, being Otjiwarongo, which registered size 4.7. The same year, a farm on the outskirts of Windhoek also experienced an earthquake of magnitude 5.0, which resulted in some cracks in the ground. Before last week, the seismological network was not yet completed with the country only having two seismic stations, in Windhoek and Tsumeb. But, Azangi said, last week the seismological network was completed with additional stations added in Aus, Rundu, Kamanjab and Ariamsvlei, which will enable accurate mapping of the seismicity in the country. This will among others help to guide builders to build where there are no faults so that in cases of earthquakes of a bigger magnitude, damage is avoided or minimised. Some buildings housing the Bank of Namibia and Cell One are already built on faults but Azangi said Windhoek was not on amplified ground as expectations are that more damage is done in areas where the ground is soft. A seismological bulletin will also be established and updated monthly to help establish the seismic hazard map needed for civil engineering work so that damage can be avoided or at least minimized in case earthquakes of magnitudes bigger than 5 occur. He advised important civil engineering works in the country to take into consideration the seismicity map and the seismic hazard map before embarking on building any infrastructure.