Bangkok: Thailand needs not worry, even though the Philippines is on tsunami alert following the major earthquake. Geology experts emphasize that Thais need not panic after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern Philippines. Although Philippine authorities issued a tsunami watch and there were reports of damage to buildings in the area, the event will not affect Thailand because Borneo acts as a natural geographical barrier.
According to Thai News Agency, the Department of Mineral Resources reported that at 06:37 AM Thailand time, an earthquake measuring 7.8 magnitude occurred in the sea at a depth of 55.2 kilometers. The epicenter was located near the coast, approximately 26 kilometers southwest of Kablalan, in southern the Philippines. The earthquake was caused by the subduction of the Philippine Sea Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate.
Initial reports indicate damage to buildings and homes in General Santos City, and Philippine authorities have issued a tsunami warning and are monitoring the coast. There are no reports of fatalities so far.
Professor Dr. Santi Phailoplee, a professor in the Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, stated that although this earthquake was large and occurred in the sea, a characteristic that could potentially generate a tsunami, Thailand is not in an area at risk of being affected by such an event.
This is because Borneo, a large island located between the affected area and Thailand, acts as a natural geographical barrier, meaning the risk of a tsunami does not involve Thailand or the Gulf of Thailand.
Furthermore, this event is not related to any active fault lines in Thailand, as they belong to a different geological system. Therefore, there is no reason to link this earthquake to any potential impact on earthquakes in Thailand.
"For Thailand, the public does not need to worry. This event will not affect Thailand, neither in terms of tsunami nor active fault lines. The situation can be followed as international news," Prof. Dr. Santi said.