Nguyen Ngoc Thuy, Director of the Geophysics Institute

The earthquake in Taipei occurred at 7.34 pm, Hanoi time. Right after receiving the fax massage from the Western Pacific Ocean Tsunami Warning Centre, the Geophysics Institute and the National Hydrometeorology Centre gathered to discuss how to deal with the problems. We agreed that the earthquake was very strong that it may cause a tsunami.

If the tsunami went at the speed of 700km/h, it would rush into Vietnam’s seashore after two hours. I must say that relevant agencies were slow in giving warning about the tsunami. When receiving the news about the tsunami, our staff need several tens of minutes more to determine if the tsunami can affect Vietnam. (Meanwhile, in Japan, the news about tsunami can be released just 6-8 minutes after the earthquake). After that, it took some more time for the Geophysics Institute and National Hydrometeorology Centre to decide the content of the message of warning. As you see, the first warning about the tsunami was released on Vietnam Television at 9pm.

As far as I know, only at 10 pm, residents in coastal areas could receive the news about the tsunami and began evacuating after the tsunami hit Vietnam already. What would have happened in December 26 if the tsunami had been stronger?

It was so lucky that the tsunami that hit Quy Nhon was just 0.8m high as measured by the Quy Nhon measuring station. If it had been stronger, it would have caused severe damage to the area.

This is the first time Vietnam gave a warning about tsunami, that explains why there were many shortcomings.   

What could you say about the possibility other tsunamis in Vietnam in the future?

The possibility of seeing tsunamis in Vietnam is low. In theory, the earthquakes measured at 6.5 on the Richter scale and higher can cause a tsunami, meanwhile, the 6.5 to 7 earthquakes may happen in Vietnam. In 1983, an earthquake measuring at 6.7 occurred in Tuan Giao district in the northern province of Lai Chau, and in 2001, in Dien Bien province, an earthquake occurred, damaging several thousand houses. 

In addition, the strong earthquakes in the northwest of the Philippines can also affect Vietnam. A tsunami departing from this area can reach Vietnam’s seashores after 1.5 to two hours. The earthquakes in the Philippines that cause tsunamis will be stronger than the ones happening in Vietnam’s seashore areas.

What should Vietnam do to improve its capability to give warnings about tsunamis?

In the first quarter of 2007, Vietnam will begin installing the tsunami warning centre. Now we have a network of 25 earthquake measuring stations, which are mostly located in the north. There are only three stations in the southern areas, including Hue, Da Lat and Nha Trang. We are planning to build another 10 stations with the non-refundable aid from the Government of Japan. Once the project is completed, we will be able to give forecasts about the earthquakes that can cause tsunamis in Vietnam.

The December 26 earthquake occurred on the occasion of the 2^nd anniversary of the 2004 tsunami. I wonder if there is a link between the two tsunamis and what do you think about the cycle of the tsunamis?

It is just a coincidence. The strong earthquakes that cause tsunamis in general, do not have periods or links among different areas. Once a strong earthquake occurs on Vietnam’s seashore, people would start and could not stand steady. In this case, they should run into the higher places to stay, it is the easiest way to escape from the disaster. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    (Source: (Source:VNE)