Researchers to start mapping underwater landslide zones

Chennai: Researchers will soon begin mapping underwater landslide zones in earthquake-prone regions on the country's east and west coasts that are capable of triggering tsunamis. This will improve early warning systems for tsunami caused by non-seismic events. The study, led by the Indian national centre for ocean information services (INCOIS), will focus on two major subduction zones where tectonic plates meet—the Andaman subduction zone in the Bay of Bengal and the Makran subduction zone in the Arabian Sea."As part of our five-year plan, we will map the subduction zones, as they are quite susceptible to landslides. We will study the slope and sediment texture in these areas," said T M Balakrishnan Nair, director, INCOIS, during a media interaction at a conclave on marine multi-hazard services for India's coastline, in the city on Friday. INCOIS will also lay an underwater smart cable observatory at a depth of 275 km in the Bay of Bengal, connecting the mainland to the Andamans. Equipped with fibre optics, the observatory will carry sensors such as depth metres, seismometers, and acoustic hydrophones to detect changes like underwater pressure shifts caused by earthquakes and tsunamis. "We will also set up a regional centre in the Andamans that will receive the data. With large bandwidth, we will ensure no changes underwater go undetected," Nair said.He stressed the need for a robust system to track volcanic activity in the Andamans, as eruptions could trigger earthquakes and landslides leading to tsunamis.The conclave was organized by INCOIS, the national disaster management authority (NDMA), and M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF). The day-long event brought together scientists, NDMA and SDMA officials, industry representatives, maritime forces, and community stakeholders to discuss challenges and measures for tackling multi-hazards like tsunamis and cyclones on the east coast.At the inauguration, Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (retd), NDMA member, announced that a new common alerting system using cell broadcast technology would be launched on a trial basis from Sept 1 to protect fishermen from cyclones.