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.
   | |
| UTC time | 1976-06-25 19:18:56 |
|---|---|
| ISC event | 713087 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | 26 June 1976 |
| Local time | 04:18:56 IEST |
| Magnitude | 7.1 Ms |
| Epicenter | 4°36′11″S 140°05′28″E / 4.603°S 140.091°E |
| Areas affected | Indonesia |
| Max. intensity | MMI X (Extreme)[1] |
| Casualties | at least 422 dead, over 5,000 missing |
Background
editIndonesia 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.[2] Papua is constantly plagued by landslides.[3]
Damage and casualties
editDirectly 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.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ EXPO-CAT Earthquake Catalog, Version 2007-12, United States Geological Survey, December 1, 2008
- ^ "Strong earthquake jolts Indonesia's Papua province". Arabia 2000. July 28, 2004.
- ^ "Landslide Kills 11 People in Indonesia's Papua Province". Arabia 2000. January 18, 2008.
- ^ "Earthquakes with 1,000 or More Deaths since 1900". United States Geological Survey. January 29, 2009. Archived from the original on 23 March 2009. Retrieved March 27, 2009.
External links
edit- The International Seismological Centre has a bibliography and/or authoritative data for this event.