Week 3: Seismic Activity

Thailand consists of 15 active fault zones (Department). The three Pagoda faults are the biggest threat to central Thailand. There is shallow seismicity in northern Thailand(USGS). Earthquakes rarely occur and if they do they are small scale. "When a fault ruptures, rocks break apart suddenly and violently, releasing energy in the form of seismic waves. These waves radiate outward in all directions from the focus"(Keller 61).

One of the worst earthquakes in Thailand's history was that of Myanmar in 2014. It was a 6.3 and located near a northern city Chiang Mai, with 1 killed and 20 injured (Travelers Today). It left roads cracked and structures broken. Although, technically the epicenter was in Myanmar in Burma and a 6.8, it is so close to Thailand's border that it was felt all the way down in Bangkok the Capital city. 

 

According to Livingthai.org, if a 7.0 earthquake were to occur it would completely flatten Thai structures and the country runs off of tourism. This kind of seismic activity would greatly hurt the countries economy(Living Thai).
 As for a warning system the "Thai Meteorological Department established an Automatic Earthquake Monitoring System to serve all the need of raw ground motion data, sea level changes, displacement and analyzed seismic data for the public interest and multi users. The system consists of 40 seismic stations, 26 accelerograph stations, 9 tidal gauge stations, 4 GPS stations. The operational works are 24/7 basis to continuously monitor, watch and disseminate of relevant information, messages and warning regarding to earthquake and tsunami hazard" (Seismology). This will provide a sense of security and somewhat of a quick response warning that will be sent out so people can prepare and move east or high ground in case of tsunamis.
 

Sources:

Keller, Edward A., Duane E. DeVecchio, and Robert H. Blodgett. Natural Hazards: Earth's Processes as Hazards, Disasters, and Catastrophes. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2012. Print.
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/hazards/about/workshops/thailand/downloads/Thailand-workshop-results-new.pdf

http://www.dmr.go.th/main.php?filename=fault_en
http://www.livingthai.org/earthquakes-in-thailand.html
http://www.seismology.tmd.go.th/en/

Picture Sources:

http://www.dmr.go.th/main.php?filename=fault_en

http://www.travelerstoday.com/articles/9742/20140506/thailand-earthquake-today-magnitude-6-3-photos-devastates-myanmar-northern.htm
http://www.livingthai.org/earthquakes-in-thailand.html