Thailand is explicitly known for all its magnificent temples, but there is one in particular that will amaze anyone. The Prasat Hin Phanom Rung temple sits on the rim of a volcano, but don't worry the volcano is extinct. Extinct volcanoes are scientifically considered to not erupt again because they do not have lava supply. You might ask yourself: Well what's the difference between a dormant and extinct volcano? Are they not the same? A dormant volcano is an active volcano (has erupted at least once in the past 10,000 years) that is not currently erupting but potentially can. An extinct volcano has not erupted, not even once, in the past 10,000 years. The only volcanoes that exist in Thailand are both extinct. Phanom Rung and Doi Pha Khok Hin Fu are the two extinct volcanoes in Thailand. There is not much information about these two volcanoes other than their elevation, but it is still interesting to know that at one point the temple of Phanom Rung was a deadly site for the living organisms near the area.
 |
This is a satellite overview of the Phanom Rung volcano and it is obviously scary big but it is pleasing to know that it is extinct.
Just for fun! The Phanom Rung temple sits on the rim of the volcano and it is absolutely stunning. |
Although the volcanoes of Thailand are not a threat to its citizens, there are several faults that are responsible for earthquakes. The Mae Chan Fault is responsible for the 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Chiang Rai on May 16, 2007. This fault is considered "the most potentially damaging one in the country" (
http://www.cicc.chula.ac.th/en/2012-04-26-04-31-26/203-likelihood-of-earthquakes-in-thailand.html) The Mae Chan Fault is a strike-slip fault, in other words a side-by-side fault or transform fault. Since this fault has been active recently, it is unsafe for new construction plans to take place. According to Wikipedia.org, the Mae Chan Fault has been ""more active" since the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake." Faults may just seem like snaps of rocks, but a massive fault like the Mae Chan are unavoidably dangerous.
 |
This picture maps the faults in Thailand. They are obviously taken into consideration for potential earthquakes. Most of the faults are located in the west of the country which concerns the people of the vicinity.
|
References:
Wikipedia.org
(
http://www.cicc.chula.ac.th/en/2012-04-26-04-31-26/203-likelihood-of-earthquakes-in-thailand.html
http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/volcanoes/faq/active_erupting.html
