Scientists from the Hanoi-based Institute of Geophysics said on Jan.
31 they have found signs that at least three tsunamis have struck the
coastal province of Nghe An in ancient times.
The
tsunamis were thought to have occurred 4,500-4,300, 4,100-3,900 and
900-600 years ago, according to a two-year study that was recently
completed.
Associate Professor Cao Dinh Trieu said
scientists found banks of placura placenta-arca granosa shells (a type
of mollusc) in Quynh Van, Nghi Tien and Quynh Nghia communes and Dien
Chau Town and along the seashore in Nghi Yen that were 4,000-4,600 years
old.
Trieu said Vietnam is situated near fault lines
where tectonic plates meet in the Pacific, an area that accounts for 80
percent of the world's earthquakes.
Scientists said their
findings suggested another tsunami could strike the coast of Vietnam
again. Trieu added that an earthquake measuring 9 on the Richter scale
along the Manila fault could result in a 7m wave barrelling into the
coast of Nghe An Province .
Vietnam has not had any
significant studies on the possible occurrence of ancient tsunamis,
which Trieu said is critical to understand the country's vulnerability
to earthquakes and tsunamis. Since 2005, Vietnamese scientists have been
collaborating with experts from Russia on studying Vietnam 's
vulnerability to quakes.
The United Nations estimated that
in 2009, at least 270,000 people in Vietnam lived in areas
potentially affected by tsunamis./.
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