QUETTA: Two American scientists have said that by using modern techniques and equipment people can be informed about the imminent threat of earthquake so that large-scale destruction may be avoided.

They were speaking at a seminar here on Friday, which was organised by the National Centre of Excellence in Mineralogy, University of Balochistan, and funded by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan and the USAID under the Pak-US Science and Technology Cooperation programme and a collaborative project called “Geo-tectonic and earthquake hazard studies along the Chaman Fault, western Pakistan”.

The purpose of the seminar was to inform young geoscientists of Balochistan of the modern techniques needed for earthquake research and bring together people working on earthquake hazards to discuss recent studies on the subject.

Delivering his lecture through video conferencing equipment from the US, Dr Lewis Owen, a professor of geology at the University of Cincinnati, said there were various techniques to ascertain the threat of earthquake in a region where there were fault lines.

Such techniques, he said, could be used effectively in Balochistan where there were a number of fault lines. “To determine slip rates of the Chaman fault line, we can get help of modern scientific techniques and equipment,” he remarked.

Dr Shuhab Khan, a professor of geology at the University of Houston, Texas, talked about new techniques in earthquake research. “We can reduce hazards from earthquake by using modern scientific methods,” he said.

Senior geologist, Prof Dr Akhtar Kasi warned that an earthquake could devastate Quetta once again as no preventative measures had been taken by the government in this regard.

“Multi-storey buildings are being constructed in narrow streets of Quetta in violation of building rules. Rescue machinery cannot enter these streets.

“In the case of a powerful earthquake, there is a risk of large-scale destruction,” he said.

He lamented that authorities concerned were helpless before the strong builders’ mafia.

Dr Kasi said mud volcanoes posed the threat of tsunami in coastal areas of Balochistan. But, he added, no step had been taken to stop the possible flow of seawater to populated areas along the province’s coastlines.

Senior Geologist Prof Din Mohammad Kakar gave a presentation highlighting the threat of earthquakes and tsunamis in Balochistan.

He talked about the shortage of underground water in Quetta valley and its disastrous impact in the form of ruptures/fissures appearing on the surface. “Tsunamis played havoc in coastal areas of Balochistan in the past and the threat of tsunami still exists because of mud volcanoes in the Arabian Sea.”

Highlighting the importance of the event, Prof Dr Abdul Salam, director of the Centre of Excellence in Mineralogy, said it would help local scientists learn modern techniques used to ascertain the threat of earthquake.

Provincial Minister for Planning and Development Dr Hamid Khan Achakzai was the chief guest at the seminar.

In his concluding speech, University of Balochistan’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Dr Javed Iqbal, praised the speakers and organisers of the seminar and distributed certificates among the participants.

The event was attended by geoscientist, students and officials of various government departments.

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2015

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