Vietnam now can detect medium earthquakes in the East Sea a few minutes after they break out and will soon be able to early identify quakes of 6.5 degrees or higher, the Global Physics Institute has said.

Dr. Le Huy Minh, deputy head of the Global Physics Institute and director of the Vietnam Earthquake and Tsunami Warning Center, said Vietnam now has a relatively sophisticated earthquake and tsunami warning system.

There are 12 seismic observation stations throughout the country that collect and transmit real-time broadband seismic data to the warning center, which is equipped with earthquake database management software, two servers and a number of liquid crystal displays for its seismic observation system.

Since May 14, 2009, the center has been using Seiscomp 3, the software that automatically identifies seismic focus parameters and earthquake intensity and collects seismic data from broadband seismic data collection centers throughout Southeast Asia.

All of this means that Vietnam is capable of detecting medium earthquakes in the East Sea and its vicinities a few minutes after they break out, Minh said.

Minh said the Gobal Physics Institute is also developing a project to strengthen the country’s earthquake observation system for earthquake and tsunami warning.

Under this project, the institute will build an additional 30 seismic observation stations and an earthquake data processing center to fully and rapidly record all parameters of earthquakes measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale or higher that occur inland or near seashores as well as earthquakes measuring 6.5 degrees or higher in the East Sea.

This project is estimated to cost VND90 billion (US$4.3 million).

Source: Tuoi Tre