1797 Sumatra earthquake
Dutch East India Company | |
| Max. intensity | IX (Destructive)[2] |
|---|---|
| Tsunami | Yes |
| Casualties | Numerous |
The 1797 Sumatra earthquake occurred at 22:00 local time on February 10.[1] It was the first in a series of great earthquakes that ruptured part of the Sumatran segment of the Sunda megathrust. It caused a damaging tsunami that was particularly severe near Padang, where a 150–200 ton English ship was driven 1 km inland up the Arau River.
Background
The island of Sumatra lies on the
Historically, great or giant megathrust earthquakes have been recorded in 1797,
Damage
The earthquake caused the collapse or damage of many houses. The tsunami surge drove an English sailing ship of 150–200 tons, moored in the Arau River, about 1 km inland, destroying several houses as it went. Smaller boats were driven up to 1.8 km upstream.[3] In Air Manis, the whole town was flooded and the bodies of several people who had climbed trees to escape the surge were found the next day in the branches. Only two fatalities were reported from Padang itself but many more from Air Manis. The Batu Islands were also reported to be affected.[3]
Characteristics
Earthquake
The shaking at Padang lasted one minute. Reports in 1845 and 1847 said either that this was the strongest earthquake in the memory of the residents of Padang or the strongest for forty years.[3]
Tsunami
The run-up of the tsunami at Padang and the village of Air Manis is estimated to be in the range of 5–10 m. Modelling of tsunami effects using source parameters estimated from the uplift of coral microatolls,[3] provide a reasonable match to the sparse historical records.[4]
The tsunami reports for this event are localised around Padang and it has been suggested that the tsunami may have been caused by an underwater landslide triggered by the earthquake.[5]
See also
References
- ^ doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
- ^ S2CID 253365854
- ^ hdl:10220/8480.
- PMID 17170141.
- ^ Permana, H.; Singh S.C. & Research Team (2010). "Submarine mass movement and localized tsunami potentiality of Mentawai Basin, Sumatera, Indonesia". Retrieved 2011-06-01.