The Andaman Sea has recently seen a surge in seismic activity, raising fears about potential underwater volcanic eruptions. Thorn Thamrongnawasawat, a professor at Kasetsart University in Thailand, warns that if a volcano were to erupt, the massive water displacement could trigger a tsunami, especially given the sea's depth exceeds 2000 meters.

According to a report by Nation Thailand, Professor Thorn indicated that tsunamis are typically caused by underwater earthquakes or volcanic blasts. He clarified that the recent earthquakes in Myanmar are unlikely to trigger a tsunami since their epicenter is on land, but Thailand could still be directly affected.

He stated, "The likelihood of a tsunami in the Gulf of Thailand is extremely low; even if one were to occur, it would likely be very small in scale. Due to the distance from major earthquake and volcanic zones (like Indonesia and the Philippines), tsunamis can generally be detected in advance."

Currently, the two main areas that could trigger tsunamis are Indonesia and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India. The only volcanic island, Barren Island, has seen eruptions, but recent earthquake epicenters are located in deeper areas of the same volcanic belt further south.

Professor Thorn added that while Barren Island is the only volcano in the region to have erupted above sea level (the last eruption occurring in 2022), it is uncertain when underwater volcanoes will erupt. He mentioned that there have been several earthquakes of magnitude 4 and above in recent times, which could suggest magma movement, but this does not mean an eruption is imminent.

Data from Thailand's seismic observatory shows that the current activity is concentrated about 470-480 kilometers off the coast of Phang Nga. If an eruption were to occur at this location, the deep waters and large displacement could easily trigger a tsunami, with the tsunami waves reaching the shore significantly sooner than in the 2004 disaster.

Nonetheless, Thorn urged citizens not to panic, explaining, "No one can predict with 100% certainty whether a disaster will strike. Just as in Japan, there have been warnings for months without any major events occurring." He advised the public to create emergency plans, familiarize themselves with nearby evacuation routes, and conduct drills.

Reflecting on past tsunami experiences, he reminded that even three-story buildings might not be safe, suggesting that people prioritize seeking refuge in taller structures, ideally seven or eight stories high.