Led Professor Syed Humayun Akhter, the joint research group of the Dhaka University and Columbia University set up the seismometer in the Jaflong-Tamabil region on February 11, paving the way to get authentic data on earthquake.

"The data on all minor tremors in last decades was assumed. The data was not accurate as the lone equipment in Ambagan, Chittagong remained out of order since 1988," Prof Akhter told The Daily Star last night.

Under this project, funded by the US university, the team is going to set up 11 more seismometers and 12 global positioning systems (to monitor plate movement) in Sylhet, Chittagong, Modhupur and Lakhsmipur by the end of this month.

Once all the equipment are installed, Bangladesh will be equipped enough to forecast impending natural disasters or carry out geological research, said Prof Akhter.