Quang Nam strong earthquake, hydropower will cause disaster

Scientists determined that Song Tranh 2 hydropower plant built on the critical area of ​​the earth's crust. Increased earthquakes with intense intensity will endanger both the plant and the people in the downstream.

Research results of the project 'Assessing the status quo and zoning warnings for details of risks, proposing solutions to prevent landslides and landslides as a scientific basis for sustainable development planning. Quang Nam's social and economic situation ' because Dr. Pham Van Hung is the chairman, shows that the construction area of ​​Song Tranh 2 hydropower plant is located in the active tectonic zone and causes landslide with dangerous level. very high (level 5).

Prof. Dr. Cao Dinh Trieu, expert of Earth Physics Institute affirmed, Song Tranh 2 hydropower plant was built in the critical area of ​​the earth's crust. If earthquakes increase and strong levels will pose a danger to not only the factory but also the lives of people."The situation of earthquake increase in recent years in this area is dangerous and should be studied seriously" , Mr. Trieu said.

Quang Nam earthquake causes subsidence on the route
Road from North Tra My to Nam Tra My. (Photo: Tri Tin)

Since the beginning of this year, residents of Bac Tra My district, the lower area of ​​Song Tranh 2 hydropower, began to hear explosions in the ground. Frequency appeared more and more explosions, big, wide aftershocks. The biggest explosion occurred on the night of November 27, shaking a region within a radius of 30km from Song Tranh 2 hydropower plant. The tremor affected both Tra Phong commune (Tay Tra, Quang Ngai).

Seismologists identify the explosion caused by reservoir earthquakes (earthquakes stimulated) by the influence of water retention and lake water fluctuations.

Song Tranh 2 hydropower plant has a smaller capacity than Hoa Binh hydropower plant, but the reservoir capacity is more than 730 million m3 of water, located at a height of more than 100m compared to the downstream area. Therefore, experts worry that the dam will cause disaster for the downstream area. It is forecasted that after the construction of Song Tranh 2 hydropower dam, it will cause a maximum earthquake of about 5.5 Richter.

The prevention of dams, water storage of the river Tranh 2 hydropower reservoir is intact
The main cause of the earthquake in Quang Nam. (Photo: Tri Tin)

Although far from Song Tranh 2 hydropower plant, Quang Ngai provincial leader directed the Department of Science and Technology to coordinate with functional agencies to check the phenomenon of earth shaking in Tra Phong commune. Tay Tra district government was ordered to closely monitor developments, planning to relocate people from dangerous areas when there were strong earthquakes. Quang Ngai province has about 3,000 people affected by earthquakes in Quang Nam.

According to Dr. Cao Dinh Trieu, the fault zone in the geological heart from Bac Tra My district of Quang Nam to Tra Bong and Tay Tra (Quang Ngai). This fracture is operating strongly so it definitely affects Quang Ngai province.