Let’s take a closer look at the recent 3.8 magnitude earthquake that occurred off the coast of Eido, Seogwipo, Jeju Island. The quake, which struck at around 5:36 p.m. on March 31, was the strongest of six earthquakes to hit Jeju Island this year. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the quake had an estimated epicenter depth of 13 kilometers, marking the first time in about two months that an earthquake of magnitude 3.5 or greater has struck the Korean Peninsula and adjacent waters. Jeju residents have expressed a lot of concern and interest in this.
Causes and impacts of disaster texting delays after an earthquake
After the earthquake, it took 15 minutes for disaster texts to be sent out. This was due to the fact that Jeju Island was not included in the region within the automatic disaster texting criteria, so the process of sending a separate text took time. According to Jeju Island officials, when an earthquake of magnitude 3.5 or higher and less than 4.0 occurs, a disaster text is immediately and automatically sent to areas within an 80km radius centered on the location of the earthquake. However, this earthquake was not included in the criteria, causing a delay.
Jeju Islanders’ Reactions and Online Community Activity
There was a lot of anxiety among Jeju Islanders about the earthquake and the delay in sending disaster texts. In online communities such as Jeju’s local mom cafes, people wrote, “I felt an earthquake in Beophwan-dong, Seogwipo City,” and “I felt an earthquake in Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo City. It’s scary” and other posts and comments. The online response reaffirmed the importance of quick information and safety instructions for residents during an earthquake.
Jeju Islanders’ response to the earthquake
The people of Jeju Island responded quickly to the earthquake. A total of three reports were received via Jeju Island’s 119, showing that residents are sensitive to the earthquake. Fortunately, there have been no reports of damage from this earthquake. This means that Jeju Islanders are becoming more aware of disaster situations and recognize the importance of safety management.
The importance of preparing for future earthquakes and strengthening safety measures
This incident has highlighted the importance of improving disaster texting systems and preparing for the safety of residents in the event of an earthquake. The need for Jeju Island and related organizations to strengthen systems for rapid and accurate information delivery in the event of a disaster and to provide sufficient safety education and information to residents has increased. This will play a big role in ensuring the safety of residents in the event of natural disasters like earthquakes in the future.
