By Christopher Tan

THE ceiling lamps sway, the window frames shudder and soon, occupants have evacuated and gathered on the ground floor.

It is a scene that has been unfolding with greater frequency here these days, and seismologist Michael Spranger has an explanation for it.

Between Dec 25, 2004 and March 31 this year, Sumatra accounted for 23 per cent of all quakes measuring 6.9 or stronger on the Richter scale. In the last 30 years or so, the region accounted for only 2 per cent of quakes worldwide.

Singapore studies possible impact of quakes

By Christopher Tan

TWO new studies are under way to determine just how vulnerable Singapore is to earthquakes, despite long-held views that the island is immune to the devastating effects of nearby tremors.

More frequent and intense seismic activity in the region recently has sparked the studies.

Their results could affect building codes here, which currently do not require structures to be built to withstand quakes.

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