Research on earth tremors necessary, say local geologists

By Nadia Fazlulhaq and Shane Seneviratne

Geologists have said further research should be conducted into the causes for the recent tremors experienced in various parts of the country, while stating that no early warnings could be given of their occurrence.

National Building Research Organization (NBRO) geologist Samantha Bogahapitiya said there were no early warning systems for earth tremors.“Vulnerable areas cannot be named specifically and tremors cannot be predicted. If tremors continue to occur here Sri Lanka too will be one of the countries which would be considered vulnerable to earth tremors,” he said.

However, he said there was only a small chance of a tsunami developing along with tremors. Mr. Bogahapitiya said even though areas in Hambantota district felt the tremors more than other areas, a prediction cannot be made that those areas were vulnerable.

Last Wednesday at 9.57 a.m. a tremor recorded as 5.2. on the Richter scale was felt 390 km away from the Pottuvil beach. On Friday morning many areas in the Southern Province felt a tremor. According to the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau two earth tremors, below 4.0 on the Richter scale, had taken place at 5.54 a.m. and 6.54 a.m.

Tissamaharama Pradeshiya Sabha secretary Mahesh Gammanpila said cracks appeared on the walls of five houses in Beralihala-kanda due to the tremor. He said residents of Lunugamvehera too had felt this tremor and added the PS would take measures after proper research was carried out. A Geological Survey and Mines Bureau official said a team has been sent immediately to look into the matter.

Meanwhile Prof. C. B. Dissanayake, a senior lecturer of the Geological Department of Peradeniya University told The Sunday Times that Sri Lanka was turning out to be a vulnerable area for earth tremors.

“An Indo-Australian plate on which Sri Lanka is situated had a crack for almost eight million years, but as the crack on the plate had been activated recently and it is situated near Sri Lanka, this country was prone to earthquakes,” he said.