Phuket 'Aftershocks' Likely Sumatra-Related: Experts

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Phuket ‘aftershocks’ likely Sumatra-related: experts

Phuket Gazette – Tuesday, April 17

The latest 'shocks' affecting Phuket have been along the 130-kilometer Klong Marui Fault, which runs directly underneath Phuket.

PHUKET: -- The eight small earthquakes that have rocked Phuket over the past 24 hours are most likely related to the much larger earthquakes off the coast of Sumatra last week, experts from the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) said.

The latest quake, which hit at 12:18pm today, was a magnitude of 3.1 on the Richter scale, according to preliminary data released by the TMD website.

The previous tremors dating back through yesterday, all centered in Thalang, were as follows:

Today:

1:31am: 2.3 Richter

Yesterday:

7:02pm: 2.5 Richter

6:00pm: 2.2 Richter

4:47pm: 2.1 Richter (originally reported at 4.3 magnitude; 10km deep)

4:03pm: 2.7 Richter

4:01pm: 2.6 Richter

2:17pm: 2.6 Richter

9:44am: 4.3 Richter

TMD explained that the 8.9 Richter earthquake off Sumatra on April 11 likely affected all 13 known faults in Thailand.

The source of recent activity in Thalang is the 130-kilometer-long Klong Marui Fault that runs beneath Phuket and Phang Nga.

TMD spokesperson Phuwiang Prakammi said on the Nation Group’s Rawangpai (Disaster Watch) Channel that he had discussed the recent earthquake activity with fellow seismologists and there was a consensus that the Thalang – centered tremors likely represented an ongoing adjustment to the much larger earthquake last week.

“It may have an effect on all 13 faults in Thailand, which may need a period of time to adjust before things return to normal,” he said.

The Thai fault zones were not directly related to the active fault zone off Sumatra, which has been the source on numerous aftershocks in recent days, he said.

Mr Phuwiang said aftershocks with magnitudes greater than 5.0 Richter pose a risk of significant damage, but that earthquakes less than 4.0 Richter should not be a source of panic.

“Normally aftershocks are not as strong as the main quake; some are hardly even detectable. However, we will continue to monitor the situation closely,” he said.

In Bangkok, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra ordered the Ministry of Interior to monitor the ongoing seismic activity in Phuket and insisted that the Government was not being lax in its efforts.

Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit had been assigned to oversee the government effort, she said.

Authorities were working to fix some of the National Disaster Warning Center’s network of 69 tsunami warning towers along Andaman Coast, some of which malfunctioned last Wednesday, she admitted.

Officials have also been instructed to inspect old buildings and historical sites for damage, she told Thai-language daily Thai Rath.

In order to prevent future breakdowns in mobile-phone networks of the kind that followed last week’s earthquake, she urged the public to try and communicate by text messaging during emergencies, Thai Rath reported.

Source: http://www.phuketgaz...ticle12824.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2012-04-18

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Geologist warns of more minor quakes

PHUKET, 18 April 2012 (NNT) - A geologist has indicated that the recent tremors in Phuket province had been sparked by last week's 8.6-magnitude Sumatra quake, while also pointing out that the two major fault lines in the South of Thailand must be monitored closely.

The Environmental Geology and Geohazard Bureau Director Lertsin Raksaskulwong said that the 4.3-magnitude eartquake in Phuket's Thalang district originated from small branches of the Ranong and Khlong Marui fault lines. The movement of the two active fault lines was caused by the 8.6-magnitude earthquake which took place in Indonesia's Sumatra Island on 11 April. According to the geologist, a series of small to medium magnitude tremors, measured under 6 on the Richter scale, will continue to shake southern Thailand.

Two fault lines are situated in the South of Thailand, namely the Ranong fault line spanning across the provinces of Ranong, Chumphon, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Phang Nga, and the Khlong Marui fault line, which runs across Surat Thani, Krabi and Phang Nga.

Following the Phuket earthquake on Monday, almost a dozen aftershocks were detected in Phuket. The latest one, measured at about 3.2, took place around 4am this morning.

-- NNT 2012-04-18

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3.2 Magnitude Aftershocks Strike in Phuket

PHUKET: -- The Seismology Office reported the latest aftershock measuring 3.2 on the Richter scale struck at Thalang District of Phuket Province this early morning.

Last night, the Seismology Office of the Meteorological Department reported the first 2.0 magnitude aftershock struck the epicenter of Thalang District.

Then, another 2.6 magnitude aftershock reoccurred in early morning at the same areas. The residents were able to feel the tremor.

At 4:15 a.m, a 3.2 magnitude aftershock struck once again at Thalang District in Phuket Province.

The latest tremor was felt in many provincial areas because the quake originated away from the shore at only 10 kilometers.

Yesterday, Phuket Deputy Governor Somkiet Sangkaosuttiruk announced a emergency disaster zone in Thalang District in order to provide rescue efforts to the victims and also to prevent further damages.

-- Tan Network 2012-04-18

[LivinginKata]

Never felt any of these local after shocks ....

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Earthquake aftershocks hit Phuket

PHUKET, April 18 – Two earthquake aftershocks, measuring 2.6 and 3.2 on the Richter scale, were recorded on Phuket Island in the Andaman sea, in southern Thailand, early Wednesday but there was no report of any damage.

The latest aftershocks jolted Thalang district at 00.49am and 04.14am on Wednesday. Minor tremors were felt and structures in the area were not damaged.

Local authorities surveyed damage after a 4.3-magnitude earthquake centred in Si Sunthon sub-district of Thalang district occured Monday.

Thirty-five damaged houses have been registered with the authorities so far.

The tremor prompted fear among local residents and foreign tourists who fled buildings and hotels in panic.

The quake was caused by a shift in a section of the Klong Marui fault line, stretching from Surat Thani, Krabi and Phang-nga provinces, according to seismologists.

The meteorological department reported seven aftershocks, measuring 2-3.1 on the Richter scale in Thalang district on Monday and Tuesday following the 4.3-magnitude quake on Monday morning.

Thalang district was declared an earthquake disaster zone on Tuesday to facilitate compensation payments for those affected by the jolts. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-04-18

[Pomthai]

The 4:15 one woke me up. It was a double jolt, about 30 seconds or a minute apart. Its kind of echoed this time. Hard to describe. Make Thalang that much more of an interesting place to live.

[Siriam]

Never felt any of these local after shocks ....

I felt the 4.15 one... it woke me and my family up, bed was shaking !

[LivinginKata]

Never felt any of these local after shocks ....

I felt the 4.15 one... it woke me and my family up, bed was shaking !

I must have been fast asleep. Just asked the wife and she says she felt a shake/bump about that time.

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EARTHQUAKE

Two tremors hit Phuket Wednesday

PHUKET: -- Two earthquake aftershocks, measuring 2.6 and 3.2 on the Richter scale, were recorded on Phuket Island in the Andaman sea, in southern Thailand, early Wednesday but there was no report of any damage.

The latest aftershocks jolted Thalang district at 00.49am and 04.14am on Wednesday. Minor tremors were felt and structures in the area were not damaged.

Local authorities surveyed damage after a 4.3-magnitude earthquake centred in Si Sunthon sub-district of Thalang district occured Monday.

Thirty-five damaged houses have been registered with the authorities so far.

The tremor prompted fear among local residents and foreign tourists who fled buildings and hotels in panic.

The quake was caused by a shift in a section of the Klong Marui fault line, stretching from Surat Thani, Krabi and Phang-nga provinces, according to seismologists.

The meteorological department reported seven aftershocks, measuring 2-3.1 on the Richter scale in Thalang district on Monday and Tuesday following the 4.3-magnitude quake on Monday morning.

Thalang district was declared an earthquake disaster zone on Tuesday to facilitate compensation payments for those affected by the jolts.

-- The Nation 2012-04-18

[Boater]

Thalang district was declared an earthquake disaster zone on Tuesday to facilitate compensation payments for those affected by the jolts.

might be going a bit OTT here !, also what is the compensation ?? ...

[steelepulse]

Good question. With home owners insurance I'm sure there will be compensation, but without? I've never seen nor heard of gov't compensation for earthquakes.