Introduction
The ASEAN region is located at the intersection of three major
tectonic plates namely Eurasian, Indo-Australian and the Pacific plates,
and one minor plate, Philippine plate. This condition generates thousands
of earthquake every year most of which are potentially destructive. In
recent years, several big earthquakes occurred in some parts of ASEAN
countries which caused considerable damage to buildings and other
structures, landslides in mountainous regions, ground subsidence and
ground rupture. These big earthquakes have also caused major fatalities.
What makes an earthquake more devastating is the fact that it may generate
tsunami with up to 10 meter high waves which add to the extent of the
damage, especially in areas along the coast.
To monitor earthquake activities, and to help mitigate the effects of
earthquake disasters, most countries in ASEAN have established their
National Seismological Centres (NSCs). While NSCs in some countries are
quite modern, others are still in the process of upgrading. Ideally each
of the upgraded NSC should have a real time monitoring system and other
facilities for rapid dissemination of earthquake information.
ASEAN member countries have been striving to improve the capabilities
of NSCs in their respective countries to enable NSCs to conduct various
activities and research programme addressing earthquake prediction and
monitoring, proper land use planning, seismic hazard and risk assessment
with different levels of techniques and degrees of depth. These are all
aimed at mitigating the risks of earthquakes to mankind. These efforts
are, however, hampered by common problems relating to trained personnel
and adequate seismic facilities. One way of overcoming these problems is
to establish a regional seismic information center where the services and
facilities already available could be shared by all ASEAN member
countries. |