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Explanation: Why quake did not produce tsunami

Tuesday, March 29, 2005

Everyone seem to be talking 'bout the midnight Sumatera earthquake that happened early this morning. The tremors were felt on the entire west coast of the peninsula causing tens of thousands of people to be evacuated from their high-rise homes and hotels. The earthquake was measured at 8.5 on the Richter scale. Meanwhile, there were unconfirmed news that tremors can be felt in various parts of Kuala Lumpur and Singapore this afternoon and ppl were evacuated from several comercial buildings in Kuala Lumpur.

For myself, I did not feel a thing, not last night and not this afternoon. I am actually quite surprised that an earthquake at that magnitude failed to produce massive waves . Thank God! for that.

Upon doing some 'research', I came across this news article from AFP that might shed some light. According to David Booth of the British Geological Survey. The midnight earthquake did not cause a tsunami because the earth must have moved downwards rather than upwards. He was "very surprised" the earthquake had not created a killer wave because it was almost similar in force and depth to the December 26 temblor that caused so much devastation.

"It appears Monday's quake caused a downward movement of the earth rather than the upwards jolt of the Boxing Day quake which caused a vertical displacement of the ocean floor, which creates the tsunami," Mr Booth said.
posted by Ivan, 10:11 pm

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