1976 Papua earthquake explained

1976 Papua earthquake
Timestamp:1976-06-25 19:18:56
Anss-Url:usp0000h1p
Isc-Event:713087
Local-Time:04:18:56 IEST
Magnitude:7.1
Location:-4.603°N 140.091°W
Countries Affected:Indonesia
Casualties:at least 422 dead, over 5,000 missing

The 1976 Papua earthquake occurred on 26 June with a surface wave magnitude of 7.1 in Yahukimo Regency near the border with Pegunungan Bintang Regency, Highland Papua (then Irian Jaya), Indonesia. Total deaths for the event amounted to 422, including 70 who died in subsequent landslides.

Background

Indonesia lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a sector of the Pacific where several tectonic plates intersect. This movement between the plates results in extremely high volcanic and seismic activity.[1] Papua is constantly plagued by landslides.[2]

Damage and casualties

Directly after the earthquake the casualty count was assessed as 350 dead. However, landslides soon occurred in the affected area, leading to 72 more casualties, and 5,000–9,000 were missing and assumed dead after the landslides. A total of six villages were demolished in the area. The west sector of Irian and eastern New Guinea also reported that the earthquake was felt significantly in their region.[3]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Strong earthquake jolts Indonesia's Papua province. Arabia 2000. July 28, 2004.
  2. News: Landslide Kills 11 People In Indonesia's Papua Province. Arabia 2000. January 18, 2008.
  3. Web site: Earthquakes with 1,000 or More Deaths since 1900 . . January 29, 2009 . March 27, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090323041802/http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/world/world_deaths_sort.php . 23 March 2009 . dead .