DU team collects soil from fissures in earthquake epicentre in Ghorashal

The samples will be analysed to figure out the earthquake type and the depth at which it originated, a former DU professor says

A seven-member team from Dhaka University’s Department of Geology has visited parts of Ghorashal and collected soil samples from areas damaged by Friday’s earthquake.

The team gathered samples from collapsed ground sections at the Ghorashal Dairy Farm and Palash Residential Model College within the municipality, said ASM Woobaidullah, former department professor, on Saturday.

During the visit, he said the team had initially secured soil from visible fissures.

“After collecting these samples, laboratory tests will confirm the type of earthquake that occurred and the depth at which it originated,” he said.

Friday’s 10:38am quake measured 5.7 on the Richter scale. Rubayet Kabir from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department’s Seismic Monitoring, said the epicentre was located in Madhabdi, Narsingdi -- 13km from Dhaka -- at a depth of 10km. The tremor lasted 26 seconds.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the hypocentre lay 14km west-southwest of Narsingdi Sadar.

The quake, the deadliest in the country in decades, has killed 10 people and injured more than 600. The fatalities include four in Dhaka, five in Narsingdi and one in Narayanganj.

Different units of the Narsingdi district administration are assessing local damage, while the municipal authorities formed a committee.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Abu Taher Md Shamsuzzaman said an official damage estimate will be released within three to four days.