Singapore has a low risk of earthquakes and tsunamis. Geographically,
Singapore is located in a low seismic-hazard region. However, the high-rise
buildings that are built on soft-soil in Singapore are still vulnerable to earthquakes
from far afield (ADRC, 2005). This is because Singapore is at a distance (nearest) of
600 km from the Sumatran subduction zone and 400 km away from the Sumatra fault
both of which have the potential of generating large magnitude earthquakes. This
geographic vicinity may produce a resonance like situation within high-rise buildings
on soft-soil. Recent tremors from the September 2009 Sumatra offshore earthquake
were experienced in 234 buildings located mainly in the central, northern and
western parts of Singapore. On the front of potential tsunamis, Singapore has
developed a national tsunami response plan which is a multiagency government
effort comprising of an early warning system, tsunami mitigation and emergency
response plans, and public education.