Singapore's volcanic risk: 466 undersea volcanoes pose potential threat

For years, Singapore has been perceived as a safe haven, shielded from the catastrophic impacts of volcanic eruptions and tsunamis. However, recent scientific research has shattered this illusion, revealing that the island nation is at risk from 466 undersea volcanoes in the region. A significant eruption could trigger devastating tsunamis and disrupt vital undersea cables, posing severe threats to Singapore's safety and connectivity.

Dr. Andrea Verolino, a research fellow at the Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS), has been at the forefront of this groundbreaking research. "Singapore can be affected too because these cables are thousands of kilometres long, and Singapore has some of the main subsea cables and landing sites in South-east Asia," he explained.

One of the most concerning volcanoes identified is KW-23612, located in the northern South China Sea. This volcano is currently dormant, but its 7km-wide caldera—a crater-like depression—indicates a history of explosive, catastrophic eruptions. Dr. Verolino noted, "For a volcano to grow that big and have such a hole in the middle means there was intense explosive activity".

The potential consequences of an eruption from KW-23612 are alarming. Tsunami waves could spread across the South China Sea, impacting countries on the Sunda Shelf, including Malaysia and Singapore. Even small tsunami waves, measuring a few centimeters, could form strong currents near Singapore, affecting boat traffic, beach localities, and potentially leading to coastal flooding.

The 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai eruption serves as a stark reminder of the power of underwater volcanoes. This eruption was hundreds of times more powerful than the Hiroshima atomic bomb, triggering tsunamis that reached as far as Japan, Peru, Chile, and Russia. Dr. Verolino's research aims to prepare for such scenarios by mapping and classifying the 466 undersea volcanoes to identify those that pose the greatest risk.

Volcanic ash is another hazard that Singapore could face. Similar to the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines, volcanic ash could blanket Singapore, affecting air quality and daily life. Additionally, lava flows and volcanic rock avalanches could damage undersea cables, leading to internet outages and disrupting financial transactions.

The threat to undersea cables is particularly concerning for Singapore, a major hub for subsea cables in Southeast Asia. Nadya Melic, vice-president for product at GCX, emphasized the potential impact: "While Singapore is deemed a more protected location... any fault affecting an end-to-end cable segment could also affect connectivity on a certain segment of a cable that is directly linked into Singapore... Traffic can be redirected onto another system".

Beyond the South China Sea, little is known about the undersea features of the Sunda Shelf, a continental extension that includes Bali, Borneo, Java, and Sumatra. Dr. Verolino hopes that his research will spur more deep-sea exploration to uncover the mysteries of these underwater giants.

"We wanted to help narrow down the search of notable volcanoes before an eruption. Identify a few volcanoes of interest to propose projects for funding and exploration," he stated.

As Singapore grapples with the reality of its volcanic risk, the importance of continued research and preparedness cannot be overstated. Understanding and mitigating the potential impacts of undersea volcanoes is crucial for safeguarding the nation's future.