Fear of recurring earthquake stresses Phuket villagers

Phuket Gazette

One of the villagers recounts to the medical team the sequence of events as Phuket earthquake rattled her home. The event has left many of the villagers in fear that a large-scale disaster is soon to follow. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- A team of mental health professionals yesterday visited villagers at Srisoonthorn Moo 2 to provide counselling after the 4.3-Richter earthquake struck fear into their hearts on Monday.

Data from the Thai Meteorological Department has identified Thalang as the epicenter of Monday’s earthquake, with the villagers being rattled several times a day since by recurring aftershocks.

Leading the team was Surat Thani Mental Health Center Director Dr Weera Churujiporn and Suansaranrom Hospital (Surat Thani) Director Dr Pongkasem Kaimook, along with Vachira Phuket Hospital psychiatrist Dr Padtaree Pinkaew, doctors from Thalang Hospital and healthcare workers

Dr Pongkasem said the villagers were more scared of the local earthquake than they were of the major quakes that struck off northern Sumatra on April 11.

“The villagers were not directly affected by [the tsunami in ] 2004, but they have never before experienced an earthquake like they did on Monday,” said Dr Pongkasem.

“They feel unsafe and worry about the situation. Many of the villagers were so stressed that I prescribed them anti-stress pills,” he said.

However, Vachira Hospital psychiatrist Dr Padtaree said that many of the villagers refused to take the pills because they were afraid they would fall asleep and would not be able to escape if a calamity occurred.

“Most people in Srisoonthorn Moo 2 fear that that the earthquake [on Monday] and the many aftershocks since may be a sign of a big disaster about to happen. They are scared because they did not know what to do if another earthquake strikes,” said Dr Padtaree.

“I hope they feel better after our visit,” she added.

Dr Pongkasem advised all people to give credence to what they read and hear in the news, and not pay attention to rumors.

“I want everyone to follow the news carefully. The only accurate information is that which can be proved scientifically and academically. Please check the source of the news before believing it and do not panic about the situation,” he said.

Source: http://www.phuketgaz...ticle12838.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2012-04-20

Earthquakes are a fact of life. They occur daily all over the world. The magnitude of the quake is what you feel. The depth of the quake is a determining factor in damage. Its hard to explain to a general populace that is not scientifically savvy that the average day to day trembler is just the earth adjusting itself. Much like a woman when her panties bunch up or a man's package gets stuck and needs to be moved around. The problem you face here is that most folks probably just took a 4.5 magnitude quake as an adjustment...as it is that until 2004 when it all hit the fan. Now folks are what I would call gun shy and all but panic at any magnitude of quake. There is a need to be watchful and show concern but not panic as was shown last week.

If there's one thing I've learned over the past few days, it's not to rely on the USGS for sisemic events in Thailand. They still won't even accept there's been an earthquake on Phuket, despite the links and stories I've sent to their head office cartographer - Mitch Adelson . Thank goodness we've got the Thai Metreorological Centre to rely on: http://www.tmd.go.th...uake_report.php :-)

Edited April 20, 201214 yr by geoffphuket

From the level of hysteria generated one thing is clear, these are not common events in this area. In areas where they are daily occurrences people take them in their stride. So the real question becomes is this a one off event or a sign the region is getting more seismically active.

Looking at the picture, I thought Hitler is back.

From the level of hysteria generated one thing is clear, these are not common events in this area. In areas where they are daily occurrences people take them in their stride. So the real question becomes is this a one off event or a sign the region is getting more seismically active.

I think this is spot on. It's wrong to say that people shouldn't panic and earthquakes are a regular event; clearly in Phuket they are not and people are naturally concerned.

When an area has had no recently recorded earthquakes then has a 4.3 followed by 20 or so aftershocks (and still counting, another just hours ago felt in our office, spooked all the Thai staff), clearly it will cause some concern.

When at the same time large quakes are being recorded in Sumatra and Indonesia and over the last few years we have seen major quakes in other parts of the world cause severe loss of life and damage, it is only natural that people are worried.

The media mantra of "don't panic, nothing to see here" doesn't alleviate any fears, especially when the region suffered such devastation as a result of an earthquake induced Tsunami and witnessed the fairly recent chaos in Japan.

The vast disparity in reported information does nothing to quell fears. It is clear that seismic activity is on the increase internationally, while the underlying cause of this escapes even the "experts".

We are only just accepting the damage caused by burning fossil fuels, but we are pumping billions of tons of it out of the ground, without any real idea as to the effect this has on seismic activity... could the two possibly be linked? No, of course not, the petro-chemical and automotive industry would never allow that.

From the level of hysteria generated one thing is clear, these are not common events in this area. In areas where they are daily occurrences people take them in their stride. So the real question becomes is this a one off event or a sign the region is getting more seismically active.

I think this is spot on. It's wrong to say that people shouldn't panic and earthquakes are a regular event; clearly in Phuket they are not and people are naturally concerned.

When an area has had no recently recorded earthquakes then has a 4.3 followed by 20 or so aftershocks (and still counting, another just hours ago felt in our office, spooked all the Thai staff), clearly it will cause some concern.

When at the same time large quakes are being recorded in Sumatra and Indonesia and over the last few years we have seen major quakes in other parts of the world cause severe loss of life and damage, it is only natural that people are worried.

The media mantra of "don't panic, nothing to see here" doesn't alleviate any fears, especially when the region suffered such devastation as a result of an earthquake induced Tsunami and witnessed the fairly recent chaos in Japan.

The vast disparity in reported information does nothing to quell fears. It is clear that seismic activity is on the increase internationally, while the underlying cause of this escapes even the "experts".

We are only just accepting the damage caused by burning fossil fuels, but we are pumping billions of tons of it out of the ground, without any real idea as to the effect this has on seismic activity... could the two possibly be linked? No, of course not, the petro-chemical and automotive industry would never allow that.

Plate movements are speeding up, hence more seismic activity, If I wanted to point a finger at human activity being a cause I would say it was global warming. As the polar ice caps and glaciers melt, it is redistributing the earth's mass (water) and hence rotational energy. Energy transfer involves heat, magma becomes more fluid, plates move faster.

Just a thought, in nature many things are interconnected, it is rare that there is a single simple cause.

From the level of hysteria generated one thing is clear, these are not common events in this area. In areas where they are daily occurrences people take them in their stride. So the real question becomes is this a one off event or a sign the region is getting more seismically active.

I think this is spot on. It's wrong to say that people shouldn't panic and earthquakes are a regular event; clearly in Phuket they are not and people are naturally concerned.

When an area has had no recently recorded earthquakes then has a 4.3 followed by 20 or so aftershocks (and still counting, another just hours ago felt in our office, spooked all the Thai staff), clearly it will cause some concern.

When at the same time large quakes are being recorded in Sumatra and Indonesia and over the last few years we have seen major quakes in other parts of the world cause severe loss of life and damage, it is only natural that people are worried.

The media mantra of "don't panic, nothing to see here" doesn't alleviate any fears, especially when the region suffered such devastation as a result of an earthquake induced Tsunami and witnessed the fairly recent chaos in Japan.

The vast disparity in reported information does nothing to quell fears. It is clear that seismic activity is on the increase internationally, while the underlying cause of this escapes even the "experts".

We are only just accepting the damage caused by burning fossil fuels, but we are pumping billions of tons of it out of the ground, without any real idea as to the effect this has on seismic activity... could the two possibly be linked? No, of course not, the petro-chemical and automotive industry would never allow that.

Plate movements are speeding up, hence more seismic activity, If I wanted to point a finger at human activity being a cause I would say it was global warming. As the polar ice caps and glaciers melt, it is redistributing the earth's mass (water) and hence rotational energy. Energy transfer involves heat, magma becomes more fluid, plates move faster.

Just a thought, in nature many things are interconnected, it is rare that there is a single simple cause.

Again, I'd have to agree, the causes are likely to be many, varied and intrinsically linked. What's worrying is that with our trial and error method of learning, we're likely to stumble on the real causes long after it's possible to reverse the effects.

I just don't buy into the whole idea that the human race is insignificant to the planet and we are just seeing cycles that have repeated for millions of years. Certainly in time scale we are insignificant, but in the drastic, negative impact we are having on the planet, we are far from it.

Interesting Wired article

We are only just accepting the damage caused by burning fossil fuels, but we are pumping billions of tons of it out of the ground, without any real idea as to the effect this has on seismic activity... could the two possibly be linked? No, of course not, the petro-chemical and automotive industry would never allow that.

Thank gudness... and here I was thinking I'm alone to fear that puncturing the planet, sucking out the 'black gold' from underneath, must be related to the increased seismic activity all around, looking at the world map of activity is scary as it seems it's simmering most everywhere... most have simply shrugged it away, saying that's so not got anything to do with it...

Thank gudness... and here I was thinking I'm alone to fear that puncturing the planet, sucking out the 'black gold' from underneath, must be related to the increased seismic activity all around, looking at the world map of activity is scary as it seems it's simmering most everywhere... most have simply shrugged it away, saying that's so not got anything to do with it...

I'd need to see evidence of regular oil drilling activities being a cause for generally increased earthquake activity, have no idea if it has actually increased or not.

But there is evidence that the new-fangled "fracking" technology has directly cause seismic activity, not to mention the fact they're using such nasty chemicals that recently PA has passed laws forbidding doctors to inform affected patients that their symptoms may be related to them.

Thank gudness... and here I was thinking I'm alone to fear that puncturing the planet, sucking out the 'black gold' from underneath, must be related to the increased seismic activity all around, looking at the world map of activity is scary as it seems it's simmering most everywhere... most have simply shrugged it away, saying that's so not got anything to do with it...

I'd need to see evidence of regular oil drilling activities being a cause for generally increased earthquake activity, have no idea if it has actually increased or not.

But there is evidence that the new-fangled "fracking" technology has directly cause seismic activity, not to mention the fact they're using such nasty chemicals that recently PA has passed laws forbidding doctors to inform affected patients that their symptoms may be related to them.

NPR science friday (which is good podcast to listen) had an story about the fracking and quakes http://www.npr.org/2012/01/05/144694550/man-made-quakes-blame-fracking-and-drilling

When we pump out the oil from the ground, we create an 'hole' down there. Water and ground pressure will make sure that these holes will be filled with the surrounding ground. Therefore there will be some movement.

I would guess that at some points the ground above will collapse down and cause / trigger some minor quakes.

How many km3 of oil or oil with water is pumped out from bigger fields?

Thank gudness... and here I was thinking I'm alone to fear that puncturing the planet, sucking out the 'black gold' from underneath, must be related to the increased seismic activity all around, looking at the world map of activity is scary as it seems it's simmering most everywhere... most have simply shrugged it away, saying that's so not got anything to do with it...

I'd need to see evidence of regular oil drilling activities being a cause for generally increased earthquake activity, have no idea if it has actually increased or not.

But there is evidence that the new-fangled "fracking" technology has directly cause seismic activity, not to mention the fact they're using such nasty chemicals that recently PA has passed laws forbidding doctors to inform affected patients that their symptoms may be related to them.

NPR science friday (which is good podcast to listen) had an story about the fracking and quakes http://www.npr.org/2...ng-and-drilling

When we pump out the oil from the ground, we create an 'hole' down there. Water and ground pressure will make sure that these holes will be filled with the surrounding ground. Therefore there will be some movement.

I would guess that at some points the ground above will collapse down and cause / trigger some minor quakes.

How many km3 of oil or oil with water is pumped out from bigger fields?

Fracking is not a new fangled technology. Not sure how old it is but I was working for Halliburton in 1980 & we were undertaking fracking jobs then. It was done to stimulate the flow of oil & gas in wells.

Thank gudness... and here I was thinking I'm alone to fear that puncturing the planet, sucking out the 'black gold' from underneath, must be related to the increased seismic activity all around, looking at the world map of activity is scary as it seems it's simmering most everywhere... most have simply shrugged it away, saying that's so not got anything to do with it...

I'd need to see evidence of regular oil drilling activities being a cause for generally increased earthquake activity, have no idea if it has actually increased or not.

But there is evidence that the new-fangled "fracking" technology has directly cause seismic activity, not to mention the fact they're using such nasty chemicals that recently PA has passed laws forbidding doctors to inform affected patients that their symptoms may be related to them.

Well, I am no expert and 'increased' could perhaps have been excluded as I indeed have no evidence to support that... guess my concern is more about the planet as a whole (what with all the various 'natural disasters' that seem to hit where nothing of their likes has been seen before the last few years alone and a population growing from some 4.5 billion to 7 billion in the last 30 years) where the many are dependant, myself far from excluded, on the comfort of life offered by exhausting the world's natural resources & the subsequent power those in control of that money making supply hold... I'm just wondering, would we get to see any evidence that would truly jeopardize their stronghold? And if we did, would we truly take it in...