|
VietNamNet –Vietnamese can check whether their locations are threatened by earthquakes thanks to an earthquake map recently completed by the Global Physics Institute.
|
|
|
The earthquake map. |
The map is the result of a State-level research project named “Research and Forecasting Earthquakes and Foundation Fluctuations in Vietnam”, with an aim to define the level of risk for earthquakes in Vietnam.
Professor Nguyen Dinh Xuyen and his collaborators have spent nearly three years at a cost of VND1.8bil to complete this map, which delineates the points in time that earthquakes could occur within 1,000, 500 and 20 years, mapping out a likely forecast for earthquakes in Vietnam.
The map shows that Vietnam has 30 areas that could see earthquakes of 5.5-6.8 on the Richter’s scale (can cause small damage to houses). Between 114-2003, Vietnam recorded 1,645 earthquakes of 3 on the Richter’s scale and upwards.
Notably, scientists have discovered that Hanoi is located in the fault of Hong River – Chay River, where earthquakes of 5.1-5.5 occurred. The cycle for earthquakes of magnitude 5.4 in Hanoi is 1,100 years and the last strong earthquake occurred over 700 year ago (1285).
The city is now in a silent period but in the future earthquakes can increase and strong earthquakes can happen. In addition, the city also has to suffer the impact of strong earthquakes in neighbouring areas like the faults of the Lo River, Dong Trieu and Son La.
Since 1900 there have been two level 8 earthquakes, 17 level 7, and 115 six-and-seven-grade earthquakes in Vietnam. Those earthquakes caused serious consequences. According to Prof. Xuyen and his collaborators, this information refutes the notions of domestic and foreign scientists that claimed Vietnam is virtually earthquake free.
Prof. Xuyen has suggested the development of software with a database of earthquake risk in Vietnam and an earthquake observation and forecast systems for the most sensitive areas in Vietnam, comprising Hanoi, the Son La and Hoa Binh hydroelectric plants as well as future nuclear power plants located in the risky areas.
List of areas in risk for strong earthquakes in Vietnam
|
Area |
Maximum earthquake (Richter) |
Area |
Maximum earthquake (Richter) |
|
Son La |
6.8 |
Song Ma - Fumaytun |
6.5 |
|
Dong Trieu |
6.0 |
Red River- Chay River |
6.0 |
|
Song Ca – Khe Bo |
6 |
Rao Nay |
5.5 |
|
Cao Bang-Tien Yen |
5.5 |
Hanoi’s northeastern sunken area |
5.5 |
|
Cam Pha |
5.5 |
Lo River |
5.5 |
|
Phong Tho – Than Uyen
Muong La – Cho Bo |
5.5 |
Da River |
5.5 |
|
Muong Nhe |
5.5 |
Ma River’s lower section |
5.5 |
|
Hieu River |
5.5 |
Khe Giua - Vinh Linh |
5.5 |
|
Tra Bong |
5.5 |
Hue |
5.5 |
|
Da Nang |
5.5 |
Tam Ky – Phuoc Son |
5.5 |
|
Poco River |
5.5 |
Ba River |
5.5 |
|
Ba To – Cung Son |
5.5 |
109.5 meridian |
5.5 |
|
Tuy Hoa – Cu Chi |
5.5 |
Thuan Hai – Minh Hai |
5.5 |
|
Vung Tau – Ton Le Sap |
5.5 |
Hau River |
5.5 |
|
Phu Quy 1 |
5.5 |
Phu Quy 2 |
5.5 |
Minh Son | 
