1998 North Maluku earthquake

Coordinates: 1°53′S 124°52′E / 1.89°S 124.86°E / -1.89; 124.86
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
1998 North Maluku earthquake
Strike-slip
Areas affectedIndonesia
Total damage$200 million[2]
Max. intensityMMI IX (Violent)
LandslidesYes
AftershocksMultiple
Casualties41 dead, 171 injured, 8 missing

On 29 November, at 14:10 UTC, a magnitude 7.7 Mw earthquake struck off the southern coast of Taliabu Island Regency in North Maluku, Indonesia. At least 41 people were killed on the nearby islands and a tsunami was triggered. Several hundred homes, buildings and offices were damaged or destroyed.

Earthquake

According to the

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) stated that it ruptured along a NNE–SSW striking fault. A finite fault modeled by the USGS indicated that the fault crosses through the middle of Taliabu Island. A maximum slip of 8.7 m (29 ft) occurred along areas of the fault where it crosses beneath the island.[3] The earthquake had a maximum Modified Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent).[4] Intensity VI (Strong) was felt on nearby Sulawesi. However, the maximum intensity by damage was only VII (Very strong).[2]

Tsunami

Many inhabitants along the coast feared the arrival of a tsunami and evacuated their homes.[5] A tsunami was not confirmed by the BMKG, adding that because the earthquake was of a strike-slip nature, a major tsunami was not expected.[2] Inhabitants on the island reported a 2.75 m (9.0 ft) high wave on the coast.[6]

Impact

At least 34 people died, eight were missing and 153 were injured on the islands of Taliabu and Mangole.[7] Many casualties and property damage were caused by landslides. At least 512 houses were destroyed and 760 others were damaged.[7] The earthquake also damaged or destroyed nine churches, 17 schools, 12 mosques and 14 government offices. On the island of Sulawesi, seven people were killed, 18 were injured and there was some damage to buildings in the city of Manado.[8] Most of the fatalities were from Mangole Island, where buildings, homes and mosques, mostly constructed of Timber wood were destroyed or damaged.[2] Landslides also reportedly destroyed a dock.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b International Seismological Centre. On-line Bulletin. Thatcham, United Kingdom. [Event 1326454].
  2. ^ a b c d e National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): NCEI/WDS Global Significant Earthquake Database. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
  3. ^ ANSS. "M 7.7 - 264 km ESE of Luwuk, Indonesia". Comprehensive Catalog. U.S. Geological Survey.
  4. ^ Supartoyo; Surono; Eka Tofani Putranto (2014). M. Hendrasto (ed.). "Katalog gempabumi merusak di indonesia tahun 1612 – 2014" (in Indonesian). Volcanological Survey of Indonesia. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  5. ^ "World: Asia-Pacific Quake rocks Indonesian islands". BBC. 30 November 1998. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  6. ISSN 8755-6839
    .
  7. ^ on 12 September 1999.
  8. ^ "Katalog Gempabumi Signifikan dan Dirasakan" [Catalog of Significant and Felt Earthquakes]. bmkg.go.id (in Indonesian). Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency. Retrieved 14 March 2022.

External links