Earthquake awareness and response

Therefore, most countries in the world focus on damage mitigation measures, with the top priority being building earthquake-resistant structures and equipping people with knowledge and response skills.

Although not located on the “ring of fire”, where the world’s strongest earthquakes are concentrated, Vietnam is still considered a country with a fairly high risk of earthquakes. Our country has recorded a number of strong earthquakes, with magnitudes from 6.7 to 6.8, occurring in the Northwest region such as Dien Bien (1935) and Tuan Giao (1983). In the period 1910-2020 alone, the national seismic station system recorded more than 300 earthquakes with magnitudes of 4.0 or higher in this area.

According to geological studies, there are currently 46 main seismogenic fault systems distributed across the territory, continental shelf and East Sea of Vietnam. This is a potential source of earthquake hazards that can occur at any time in Vietnam. In addition, the operation of hydroelectric dam systems throughout the territory can also become a source of stimulating earthquakes.

A notable shortcoming is that high-rise buildings in Vietnam are not yet equipped with earthquake monitoring equipment. Some key projects and hydroelectric dams have just begun to deploy this system.

In large cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, earthquake tremors are only recorded through people's feelings without specific measurement data from authorities.

Installing monitoring equipment in buildings helps record when detecting vibrations exceeding the safety design threshold, the system will warn early enough for residents to know and move to a safe location...

More importantly, the collected data is the basis for authorities to assess the impact of the earthquake, make decisions on inspection, reinforcement or evacuation of buildings. In the long term, the system will contribute to updating seismic risk maps and adjusting construction standards.

Therefore, earthquake experts have repeatedly proposed installing vibration monitoring equipment in high-rise buildings in risk areas. Unfortunately, no locality has implemented it.

One of the most serious consequences of an earthquake is the collapse of buildings, even in areas far from the epicenter. This fact was demonstrated by the recent collapse of a high-rise building in Bangkok (Thailand) due to the vibrations transmitted from the major earthquake in Myanmar, combined with the weak ground characteristics of this area. In our country, old prefabricated apartment buildings

Large-panel concrete structures, built in the 1970s and 1980s, are a group of structures with high potential risks because they have not been designed according to earthquake resistance standards. At the same time, modern high-rise buildings also need to be monitored and inspected after the recent earthquakes that caused shaking.

People’s awareness also revealed many limitations. People’s reactions to the recent earthquake in Myanmar, especially in high-rise apartments, showed that many people still lacked appropriate coping skills, such as rushing out of their apartments, using elevators to escape, or gathering in large numbers in the apartment lobby or at the foot of the building. Some did not even notice the tremors, thinking they were dizzy.

According to experts, people are used to dealing with storms and floods, but lack basic knowledge about safety when an earthquake occurs. When inside a building with a solid structure, people do not necessarily have to leave their homes, but should prioritize protecting their bodies from falling and broken objects. If outdoors, they should stay away from high-rise buildings to avoid the risk of collapse or falling materials from above...

The effects of the recent earthquake once again clearly show the limitations and shortcomings in our awareness and response ability to earthquake risks.

Earthquakes cannot be prevented, but the extent of damage can be controlled if authorities act promptly and people are fully equipped with knowledge to respond.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/nhan-thuc-va-kha-nang-ung-pho-dong-dat-post868921.html