Geological Faults In The West And North Could Rock Bangkok, Quake Expert Warns

[Scott]

Several off-topic posts have been deleted. The Headline is about Geological Faults, so let's stick to the earthquake part of the OP. Those who want to post about flooding and water management can do so in the other threads related directly to that topic. Here is one:

[dude007]

A magnitude 20 earthquake - Come on!!! The Richter Scale is only from 1-10. A magnitude 20 earthquake would destroy the whole world!

Richter scale has been superseded by the MMS (Moment Magnitude Scale) for all but the smallest earthquakes since 1977.

It is an open-ended scale, so a magnitude 20 quake is possible but that would be the approximate equivalent of 3.8billion March 2011 earthquakes off Sendai, Japan in terms of wave amplitude and would release about 1.2 to the power of 16 the amount of energy.

Basically it would be game over to put it mildly!!!

Here some more explanation on the Richter scale, which is indeed logarithmic...

The Richter magnitudes are based on a logarithmic scale (base 10). What this means is that for each whole number you go up on the Richter scale, the amplitude of the ground motion recorded by a seismograph goes up ten times. Using this scale, a magnitude 5 earthquake would result in ten times the level of ground shaking as a magnitude 4 earthquake (and 32 times as much energy would be released). To give you an idea how these numbers can add up, think of it in terms of the energy released by explosives: a magnitude 1 seismic wave releases as much energy as blowing up 6 ounces of TNT. A magnitude 8 earthquake releases as much energy as detonating 6 million tons of TNT. Pretty impressive, huh? Fortunately, most of the earthquakes that occur each year are magnitude 2.5 or less, too small to be felt by most people.

Quoted from UPSeis (www.geo.mtu.edu)

[how241]

No place in the world is total safe from all natural disasters.

[folium]

No place in the world is total safe from all natural disasters.

Obviously but some places are inherently more at risk, particularly those in multi-hazard situations ie Japan (quakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, typhoons, mass movement, human hazards etc)

[Skywalker69]

A magnitude 20 earthquake - Come on!!! The Richter Scale is only from 1-10. A magnitude 20 earthquake would destroy the whole world!

The risk that Thailand will be destroyed in a "civil war" is much bigger.

[TeddyFlyfisherDavis]

A magnitude 20 earthquake - Come on!!! The Richter Scale is only from 1-10. A magnitude 20 earthquake would destroy the whole world!

Who are these ignorant, uneducated, stupid idiots that love to hear themselves talk...? OMG...

[folium]

A magnitude 20 earthquake - Come on!!! The Richter Scale is only from 1-10. A magnitude 20 earthquake would destroy the whole world!

Who are these ignorant, uneducated, stupid idiots that love to hear themselves talk...? OMG...

Isn't that what TV is all about?

Edited April 29, 2012 by folium

[SunsetT]

Well that depends if the fault is pushing together or pulling appart.

Together, right to the moon Alice,

apart, swallowed up and never seen again.

Don't get me started on strike-slip, oblique-slip and dip-slip faults, and not forgetting the granddaddy of them all the mega-thrust, but it's all a bit too early for that.

In Thailand it is a 'dip-stick' fault we should worry about !

[belg]

one little earthquake and thais are shaking...when did the last big earthquake destroy anything in bangkok? did not find online ...

maybe if one of those fortune tellers will explain that on 22 december 2012

naahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

we have fukishima for that....

[animatic]

Well that depends if the fault is pushing together or pulling appart.

Together, right to the moon Alice,

apart, swallowed up and never seen again.

Don't get me started on strike-slip, oblique-slip and dip-slip faults, and not forgetting the granddaddy of them all the mega-thrust, but it's all a bit too early for that.

Yeah I know, but most don't, I was trying to keep it relatively simple.

I'd save the mega-thrust for Patong carousing.

[animatic]

Well that depends if the fault is pushing together or pulling appart.

Together, right to the moon Alice,

apart, swallowed up and never seen again.

Don't get me started on strike-slip, oblique-slip and dip-slip faults, and not forgetting the granddaddy of them all the mega-thrust, but it's all a bit too early for that.

In Thailand it is a 'dip-stick' fault we should worry about !

There are dip-sticks at fault all across Thailand 24/7.

[GeorgeO]

A magnitude 20 earthquake - Come on!!! The Richter Scale is only from 1-10. A magnitude 20 earthquake would destroy the whole world!

Absolutely correct. There is no such thing as magnitude 20; however, even at magnitude 10, the devastation for anyone in the vicinity would be pretty horrific.

A magnitude 10 earthquake is 100,000 times bigger than a magnitude 5; however, the energy release is actually something in the region of 32,000,000 times stronger, so you really wouldn't want to be anywhere near that part of the world when it happened.

Edited April 29, 2012 by GeorgeO

[ratcatcher]

Mineral Resources Department chief Nitat Poovatanakul insisted that Phuket would not sink. And Tri said it would take a massive quake, of 20 magnitude for this to happen, which was almost wholly unlikely.

Once again demonstrating just how mathematically challenged this population is. The largest quake ever recorded was the Chile quake of 1960 at 9.5. If you look at the energy released by an earthquake in terms of the number of nuclear bombs then according to the USSG website.

6=.79 nuclear bombs

7=25 nuclear bombs

8=790 nuclear bombs

9=25,000 nuclear bombs

each integer on the scale means about 32 times as much energy released.

I don't know how to do the calculations but I'm guessing that a quake of 20 under Phuket would not sink the island, but would probably put it into an orbit somewhere between Mars and Uranus.

Just curious, . How far is Uranus from Ma's?

[Scott]

I hope your talking about the planet!

The distance between the planets can be found on the internet. If your talking about something else, I don't think this is the thread for that.

[siampolee]

Don't get me started on strike-slip, oblique-slip and dip-slip faults, and not forgetting the granddaddy of them all the mega-thrust, but it's all a bit too early for that.

Those comments seems to indicate that the epicenter of any earthquake might well be somewhere like Soi Cow boy or Nana Plaza to me.

Did you feel the Earth move for us my darling ?

[folium]

Don't get me started on strike-slip, oblique-slip and dip-slip faults, and not forgetting the granddaddy of them all the mega-thrust, but it's all a bit too early for that.

Those comments seems to indicate that the epicenter of any earthquake might well be somewhere like Soi Cow boy or Nana Plaza to me.

Did you feel the Earth move for us my darling ?

oh the joys of liquefaction...... (Christchurch, NZ, Feb 2011)

[TeddyFlyfisherDavis]

A magnitude 20 earthquake - Come on!!! The Richter Scale is only from 1-10. A magnitude 20 earthquake would destroy the whole world!

Who are these ignorant, uneducated, stupid idiots that love to hear themselves talk...? OMG...

Isn't that what TV is all about?

I guess you are right...Had to chuckle...

[BuffaloRescue]

Whats the point of "keeping an eye on a faulline" or "watching out for earthquakes". How do you watch out for an earthquake? You cant see them coming, they just happen.

[animatic]

A magnitude 20 earthquake - Come on!!! The Richter Scale is only from 1-10. A magnitude 20 earthquake would destroy the whole world!

Absolutely correct. There is no such thing as magnitude 20; however, even at magnitude 10, the devastation for anyone in the vicinity would be pretty horrific.

A magnitude 10 earthquake is 100,000 times bigger than a magnitude 5; however, the energy release is actually something in the region of 32,000,000 times stronger, so you really wouldn't want to be anywhere near that part of the world when it happened.

It is theoretically possible. Most likely improbable of course.

"A magnitude 8 earthquake releases as much energy as detonating 6 million tons of TNT."

"...Krakatoa literally blew apart in four stupendous explosions.

To explain how powerful it is, it had the force of the detonation of 200 megatons of TNT....

The island of Krakatoa itself was devastated.

The center of the island sank beneath the waves like fabled Atlantis.

However, the area stayed active and a new volcano the Anak Krakatoa,

the “Child of Krakatoa” grew up in its place."

http://www.universet...akatoa-volcano/

http://en.wikipedia..../TNT_equivalent

• The energy contained in 1 megaton of TNT (4.2 PJ) is enough to power the average American household (in the year 2007) for 103,474 years.^[6] For example, the 30 Mt (130 PJ) estimated upper limit blast power of the Tunguska event could power the aforementioned home for just over 3,104,226 years. To put that in perspective: the blast energy could power the entire United States for 3.27 days.^[7]
  
• Megathrust earthquakes record huge M_W values, or total energy released.
  
• The 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake released 9,560 gigatons of TNT (40,000 EJ) equivalent, but its M_E (surface rupture energy, or potential for damage) was far smaller at 26.3 megatons of TNT (110 PJ).
  
• The total global nuclear arsenal is about 30,000 nuclear warheads with a destructive capacity of 5,000 megatons or 5 gigatons (5,000 million tons) of TNT.
  
• The approximate energy released when the largest fragment of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 impacted Jupiter was estimated to be equal to 6 million megatons (or 6 trillion tons) of TNT.
  

8.9

- 336 megatons 1.41 EJ Japan earthquake, 2011 (1st reported number)

9.0

- 474 megatons 2.00 EJ Lisbon Earthquake (Portugal), All Saints Day, 1755

9.1

—- [roughly 600-700 megatons] newly-reported number for Japan earthquake, 2011]

9.2

- 946 megatons 3.98 EJ Anchorage earthquake (Alaska, USA), 1964

http://letsrollforum...24765.html?amp;

Ken Kobayahshi

Honolulu Star-Advertiser

March 12, 2011

The Japan earthquake was the fourth most powerful ever recorded with a magnitude of 9.1, twice more powerful than the initial estimate of 8.9, Gerard Fryer, geophysicist of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, said this morning.

Three others that were more powerful since the late 1800s when seismometers started measuring ground motions were in 9.5 in Chile in 1960, 9.2 in Alaska in 1964 and 9.1 in Sumatra in 2004, according to Fryer.

The new magnitude was adjusted based on the impact of the quake throughout the Pacific, he said. “It fits all measurements, including in Hawaii,” Fryer said.

The U.S. Geological Survey estimate of the quake’s magnitude is still 8.9.

Comparison of earthquake energy to nuclear explosion energy.

J.C. Lahr, Revised 8/28/00

Edited April 30, 2012 by animatic

[animatic]

http://www.thefreeresource.com/earthquakes-causes-effects-largest-earthquakes-in-history-and-lesson-plans-about-earthquakes6. Different Levels of Earthquakes

Instrumental

Richter Magnitude <2

Mercalli Intensity I

Moment Magnitude 1.0 - 3.0

TNT Equivalent < 1 ton

Frequency of Occurence About 8,000 per day

Actual Observation of the Earthquake Microearthquakes, usually not felt - detected by instruments

Feeble

Richter Magnitude 2

Mercalli Intensity II

Moment Magnitude 3.9

TNT Equivalent 1 ton

Frequency of Occurence About 1,000 per day

Actual Observation of the Earthquake Often felt, especially on upper floors – detected by instruments

Slight

Richter Magnitude 3

Mercalli Intensity III

Moment Magnitude 4

TNT Equivalent 29 tons

Frequency of Occurence 49,000 per year

Actual Observation of the EarthquakeFelt noticeably indoors, vibration like passing vehicles, cars may rock

Moderate

Richter Magnitude 4-Mar

Mercalli Intensity IV

Moment Magnitude 4.9

TNT Equivalent 73 tons

Frequency of Occurence 49,000 per year

Actual Observation of the Earthquake Felt indoors by many, felt outdoors by few. Dishes and doors disturbed, like a heavy truck nearby, walls-cracking sound

Rather Strong

Richter Magnitude 4

Mercalli Intensity V

Moment Magnitude 5

TNT Equivalent 1 kiloton

Frequency of Occurence 6,200 per year

Actual Observation of the Earthquake Felt by most people, slight damage. Some dishes and windows broken, some cracked plaster, trees disturbed

Strong

Richter Magnitude 5

Mercalli Intensity VI

Moment Magnitude 5.9

TNT Equivalent 5.1 kilotons

Frequency of Occurence 800 per year

Actual Observation of the Earthquake Felt by all, many frightened and run outdoors. Damage minor to moderate

Very Strong

Richter Magnitude 6-May

Mercalli Intensity VII

Moment Magnitude 6

TNT Equivalent 80 kilotons

Frequency of Occurence 800 per year

Actual Observation of the Earthquake Everyone runs outdoors. Much damage to poor designed buildings, some chimneys broken, noticed by people driving cars

Destructive

Richter Magnitude 6

Mercalli Intensity VIII

Moment Magnitude 6.9

TNT Equivalent 1 megaton

Frequency of Occurence 120 per year

Actual Observation of the Earthquake Everyone runs outdoors. Damage moderate to major. Minor damage to well designed structures, major damage in poor designed structures. Chimneys, columns and walls falls. Heavy furniture turned. Well water changes, sand and mud ejected

Ruinous

Richter Magnitude 7

Mercalli Intensity IX

Moment Magnitude 7

TNT Equivalent 32 megatons

Frequency of Occurence 18 per year

Actual Observation of the Earthquake Can cause serious damage over larger areas. Major damage in all structures, ground cracked, pipes broken, shift foundation

Disastrous

Richter Magnitude 8-Jul

Mercalli Intensity X

Moment Magnitude

TNT Equivalent 160 megatons

Frequency of Occurence 18 per year

Actual Observation of the Earthquake Major damage, most masonry and frame structures destroyed. Ground badly cracked, landslides, water sloshed over river banks, rails bent

Very Disastrous

Richter Magnitude 8

Mercalli Intensity XI

Moment Magnitude

TNT Equivalent 1 gigaton

Frequency of Occurence 1 per year

Actual Observation of the Earthquake Almost all masonry structures destroyed, bridges fall, big fissures in ground, land slumps, rails bent greatly

Catastrophic

Richter Magnitude >8

Mercalli Intensity XII

Moment Magnitude

TNT Equivalent >1 gigaton

Frequency of Occurence 1 per 20 years

Actual Observation of the Earthquake Devastating in areas several thousand miles across. Total destruction, Ground surface waves seen, objects thrown in the air. All constructions destroyed.

[favre360]

A magnitude 20 earthquake would sink Phuket, we have enough nukes to destroy the world 14 times over, and 37.6% of statistics are made up on the spot.

[Guest]

A magnitude 20 earthquake would sink Phuket, we have enough nukes to destroy the world 14 times over, and 37.6% of statistics are made up on the spot.

Not quite. Found a pretty good answer at http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090405152902AASM7WP

More nuclear weapons than have ever been built since they were invented.

People seem to forget, there have been over 750 nuclear weapons detonated above ground since 1945

They are just not that powerful.

The blast radius of a nuclear weapon is 6 miles, that's not 6 miles of complete destruction, that's 6 miles of causing some damage.

In the largest study ever done about what the consequences of a full scale nuclear war might be.

They estimated that 14,000 weapons would be used.

That it would cause a nuclear winter that would last 3 years before the atmosphere cleared.

That 40% of the worlds population would die from direct effects of the nuclear weapons, starvation or disease.

That study was done at the height of the cold war, when the US and the Soviet union had over 30,000 nuclear weapons.

Today the world combined only has around 6,000 operational nuclear weapons. And we do not have the delivery capability to use all of them.

So let's assume that the average destruction zone have 6 mile radius which is about 10km radius which is about 80km2.

Then 14.000 bombs without overlapping would destroy area of 1.120.000km2

Earth surface are is 510,072,000km2 and land surface are is 148,940,000km2.

So in this worst case scenario, with 14.000 nuclear bombs, the blast effect would cause some damage on 0.75% of total land surface. Naturally there would not some overlapping and also less nuclear bombs to be detonated which would drop this amount to somewhere closer to 0.1% of total land surface area.

Great destruction and probable nuclear winter, but still not the end of the life as we know it.

[ginjag]

A magnitude 20 earthquake would sink Phuket, we have enough nukes to destroy the world 14 times over, and 37.6% of statistics are made up on the spot.

Not quite. Found a pretty good answer at http://answers.yahoo...05152902AASM7WP

More nuclear weapons than have ever been built since they were invented.

People seem to forget, there have been over 750 nuclear weapons detonated above ground since 1945

They are just not that powerful.

The blast radius of a nuclear weapon is 6 miles, that's not 6 miles of complete destruction, that's 6 miles of causing some damage.

In the largest study ever done about what the consequences of a full scale nuclear war might be.

They estimated that 14,000 weapons would be used.

That it would cause a nuclear winter that would last 3 years before the atmosphere cleared.

That 40% of the worlds population would die from direct effects of the nuclear weapons, starvation or disease.

That study was done at the height of the cold war, when the US and the Soviet union had over 30,000 nuclear weapons.

Today the world combined only has around 6,000 operational nuclear weapons. And we do not have the delivery capability to use all of them.

So let's assume that the average destruction zone have 6 mile radius which is about 10km radius which is about 80km2.

Then 14.000 bombs without overlapping would destroy area of 1.120.000km2

Earth surface are is  510,072,000km2 and land surface are is  148,940,000km2.

So in this worst case scenario, with 14.000 nuclear bombs, the blast effect would cause some damage on 0.75% of total land surface. Naturally there would not some overlapping and also less nuclear bombs to be detonated which would drop this amount to somewhere closer to 0.1% of total land surface area.

Great destruction and probable nuclear winter, but still not the end of the life as we know it.

apart from our nuclear scientists comments, There as been so much water around and under city is full of water, more chance of an underwater Tsunami