Newspaper Review 2:

Date: December 17 2008
Title: Singapore faces negligible tsunami risks
Section: Home B1 and B2

The impact of any tsunami by the quakes in the regions, on Singapore would be minimal based on a new 2 years study. From the recordings taken from computer simulations used in the study, found out that it would take an earthquake, in either Indonesia or Philippines waters, which measures about 9.0 on the Richer scale to generate a powerful tsunami to reach Singapore. And this would take likely 10 hours to reach the island. And by that time, the waves would be not more than 0.7 ( richer scale) above the average sea level and reaching not more than 50m inland and at speeds slower than that of normal tides experienced in Singapore. This study was conducted by National university of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University. The aim of this study was to discover the effects of tidal waves caused by underwater earth movements on Singapore Island. This was in response to the tsunami waves that occurred at the Indian Ocean four years ago on 26 of December. That tsunami had likely killer more than 225 000 people. The earthquake that caused the tsunami was in the sea near Indonesia which is known as Sunda Arc. This area together with another area in manila was identified as the hot spot for underwater earth movements which could likely pose a tsunami threat to Singapore. Earthquakes that measure from a scale of 8.0 to 9.0 may cause devastating effects several thousand kilometres away. According to the researchers in NTU, signs of earthquakes were detected off the Indonesia inland of Sumatra but was not able to identify if it would strike or not. But it would not be as large and powerful as the one in 2004. It would not cause a great impact on Singapore due to its shallow water and large masses. And if tsunami does strikes, the speed at which tsunami wave would hit Singapore would be slower than the speed of a normal tide. The beaches that would likely pose a potential risks are West Coast Park, Labrador Park, sentosa, the southern islands, east Coast Park and the Pasir Ris park. The response plan drawn up the NEA, were beaches and chalets to be evacuated. And alerts will be sent out through the media, telling people to keep away even though it does not cause any destruction.

Submitted by Rupini =]