Sinkholes in Thailand

The seismic hazard level of the South might have to be increased from zero-low risk to moderate-fairly high risk because the recent Sumatra earthquake and tsunami have had a profound effect on the region’s geological structure, leading earthquake experts have warned.

The most visible indicators are the ongoing soil collapse, which has created a series of sinkholes all over the region. The largest of the 18 holes found in the past two weeks by the Department of Mineral Resources is in Nakhon Si Thammarat, measuring 20 metres in diameter and 10 metres deep.

“This is part of the aftershock effect, which could take several months,” said Assoc Prof Panya Charusiri of Chulalongkorn University’s Department of Geology.


Link to story