This morning it was reported in New York Times that an earthquake of 6.9 had rubble Jiegu Town in Yushu county, Western China killing 589 and injuring approximately 10,000 people.
As alarming as the statistics are, the real question is all of these seismic activities had one wonder if earthquakes are increasing in frequency? Let's recalled back some events in 2010:
1. Jan, 12 - 7.0 in Haiti
2. Feb, 27 - 8.8 in Chile
3. Apr, 4 - 7.2 in Mexico
4. Apr, 13 - 6.9 in China
These series of unfortunate events are not usual. To have such multitude of quakes in less than 6 months signal a significant news of how agonizing the state of our Earth's crust can be here right on this moment. In the case of Malaysia, though the quake did not happen directly in our epicenter, tremors can sometimes be felt anywhere in the country. Seems the inclusion of the region under the protection of The Great Pacific Ring of Fire can now be rechecked.
It's not about why or will it happen, the more acute question is when? At least, by that time, we've counter attack measures under our sleeves - it starts with the practices of our construction method and development criteria. Such measures that we can instantly look into are:
1. Enforce more strict construction rules & regulations.
2. Ensure stringent design codes.
3. No more 'under-the-table' transaction.
4. Educate the public on the do's & don'ts during disaster.
5. Mimic San Francisco's 72hours plan.
Click www.72hours.org
6. Earthquake doesn't kill people, unsafe buildings do!
It is time to ponder on this issue seriously. Yesterday, it may be Haiti, today China, what about tomorrow? Prevention is always better than cure, at least, that's the best we can do. There's a Malay saying that states 'sesal dahulu pendapatan, sesal kemudian tidak berguna'
p/s The English has theirs too 'There is no smoke without fire, still London Bridge is falling down...'
Till the next postings.
As alarming as the statistics are, the real question is all of these seismic activities had one wonder if earthquakes are increasing in frequency? Let's recalled back some events in 2010:
1. Jan, 12 - 7.0 in Haiti
2. Feb, 27 - 8.8 in Chile
3. Apr, 4 - 7.2 in Mexico
4. Apr, 13 - 6.9 in China
These series of unfortunate events are not usual. To have such multitude of quakes in less than 6 months signal a significant news of how agonizing the state of our Earth's crust can be here right on this moment. In the case of Malaysia, though the quake did not happen directly in our epicenter, tremors can sometimes be felt anywhere in the country. Seems the inclusion of the region under the protection of The Great Pacific Ring of Fire can now be rechecked.
It's not about why or will it happen, the more acute question is when? At least, by that time, we've counter attack measures under our sleeves - it starts with the practices of our construction method and development criteria. Such measures that we can instantly look into are:
1. Enforce more strict construction rules & regulations.
2. Ensure stringent design codes.
3. No more 'under-the-table' transaction.
4. Educate the public on the do's & don'ts during disaster.
5. Mimic San Francisco's 72hours plan.
Click www.72hours.org
6. Earthquake doesn't kill people, unsafe buildings do!
It is time to ponder on this issue seriously. Yesterday, it may be Haiti, today China, what about tomorrow? Prevention is always better than cure, at least, that's the best we can do. There's a Malay saying that states 'sesal dahulu pendapatan, sesal kemudian tidak berguna'
p/s The English has theirs too 'There is no smoke without fire, still London Bridge is falling down...'
Till the next postings.
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