Summary
Officials in Lebanon Friday assured the public that the country's southern towns are prepared for future disasters in the aftermath of a 4.3-magnitude earthquake that hit the country late Wednesday. Lebanon was hit by three minor earthquakes, although only the largest of the three was felt, Mohamed Harajli, professor of civil engineering and provost at the American University of Beirut, told The Daily Star.
Harajli, whose research focuses on seismic hazard evaluation and design regulations in Lebanon, said minor earthquakes were very common in Lebanon and did not pose a serious risk. The engineering professor added there was a probability a 5- or 5.5-magnitude earthquake could follow.
Marie said that Decree 7964, issued in 2012, requires new building projects that exceed 20 meters and were initiated after 2005 to meet seismic regulations that would allow them to withstand an earthquake of up to magnitude 6.5 .
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