The volcano eruption in Tonga sent shockwaves and a tsunami into many countries, especially Pacific nations, prompting evacuation orders and tsunami advisories to be issued in some coastal areas. Although the Tonga tsunami has ceased, many in Thailand are concerned about potential impacts from future earthquakes.
Dr. Seri Suparathit, director of the Climate Change and Disaster Center at Rangsit University, explained that fault lines that can affect Thailand include the Sagaing Fault in Myanmar, the Sunda Fault in the Andaman Sea that triggered the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami in 2004, and the Manila fault in the Philippines. He said the volcano eruption in Tonga sent a tsunami into the Philippines, but the wave height was only 10-20 centimeters and it would take a tsunami wave height of 40 centimeters or more to affect Thailand.
Dr. Seri said Thailand is in need of an up-to-standard disaster management and warning system, as only 2 of 6 existing tsunami warning buoys are currently functional. One of the working buoys is located 180 kilometers off the coast of Phuket, and the other is in the Indian Ocean, 1,200 kilometers away. The remaining buoys may have damaged antennas or have moved out of position.
According to Dr. Seri, who is a former governor of the Provincial Waterworks Authority, people must not solely rely on the tsunami warning system because the error percentage is as high as 80%. He urged people to rely on their awareness, saying they should immediately move to higher ground if they feel an earthquake while at the shore, feel wobbly, see utility poles shake, or spot telltale signs of an approaching tsunami in the seawater. (NNT)
 |
 |
 |
