VietNamNet Bridge – According to a research work by the Vietnam Geo-physics Institute, if reservoir-induced tremors occur frequently, landslide, depression and flash floods may happen in the area of Song Tranh hydro-power plant.


The research was made public on the afternoon of May 7, by Prof. Cao Dinh Trieu.

According to the Geophysics Institute, since late 2010, the observation station in Hue and Binh Dinh recorded 10 induced tremors in the area where the Song Tranh Hydro-power plant is situated. Prof. Trieu said that earthquakes appeared after the reservoir stored water.

Scientists said that earthquakes in Song Tranh are of the reservoir-induced category, at the depth of less than 10km. The most powerful earthquakes in this area may reach 5.5 to 6.1 Richter scale.

Prof. Trieu said that if a strong earthquake happened inside the reservoir, it can create high waves which can hit the dam.

Frequently occurring earthquakes can make changes to zones of faults and enhance the operation of other geological catastrophes like landslide, depression and flash flood, Prof. Trieu added.

The expert proposed to immediately set up a network of earthquake observing stations around the reservoir to observe tremors from 1 Richter scale upwards.

He also suggested restricting sudden changes of water level in the reservoir, to build an earthquake watching warning system while enhancing community awareness to quickly cope with geological calamities.

Lan Anh