The Institute of Geophysics has asked the Union of Vietnam Geographic Sciences Associations to invest VND500 million ($25,000) to set up three working groups to research underground explosions in Bac Tra My district in the central province of Quang Nam

The Institute of Geophysics has asked the Union of Vietnam Geographic Sciences Associations to invest VND500 million ($25,000) to set up three working groups to research underground explosions in Bac Tra My district in the central province of Quang Nam

Prof. Dr. Cao Dinh Trieu said that the institute plans to make research of the underground explosions in the downstream area of the Song Tranh 2 hydro-power plant in Bac Tra My district. The necessary funding for the research is estimated at VND500 million. The Institute needs financial assistance from the Union of Vietnam Geographic Sciences Associations.

Prof. Dr. Trieu said to define the reasons that caused underground explosions in Bac Tra My, the institute will set up three working groups (with 4-5 experts/group) to research zones of fault and lay earthquake observing equipment in the area.         

Regarding the underground explosion on November 11, which caused aftershock within a 30km diameter, Dr. Trieu said that the explosion was at 3 Richter scale – the safe level, according to the observing station in Thua Thien-Hue province.      

However, as many consecutive underground explosions have been recorded recently, it is needed to quickly research and take measurements to protect local people and their assets, Trieu added.

Since November 16, at least three big explosions have been recorded in the earth, near the Song Tranh hydropower plant. The biggest explosion was the one on November 27.  

The local authorities are worried that thousands of ethnic minority people, who live in resettlement areas near Song Tranh hydropower plant would migrate into the forest, resulting in deforestation.