MOSCOW, March 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Russian scientists have warned that many of the country's nuclear, hydroelectric and thermal power plants are situated in earthquake-prone areas, the Interfax news agency reported Sunday.

    "Approximately 40 percent of the country's territory are earthquake-prone areas. They are high-risk zones for earthquakes measuring more than six points on the Richter scale," experts from the Emergency Situations Ministry said in a recent book that addresses the danger of natural and industrial disasters and emergency situations in Russia.

    "In Russia, the seismic belt extends from the Caucasus to the Kamchatka Peninsula," they said.

    The Chirkei, Miatlino and Chiryutsk hydroelectric power plants are located in areas where earthquakes measuring up to 10 on the Richter scale can occur, the scientists said.

    The maximum intensity of earthquakes is 12 on the Richter scale.

    The Bilibino nuclear power plant, the Sayano-Shushensk, Belorechye, Irkutsk, Kolyma and Ust-Srednekan hydroelectric power plants are prone to earthquakes of up to nine on the Richter scale.

    Several other facilities are located in areas that could be hit by tremors measuring seven or above on the Richter scale, they said. Enditem