2016 Sumatra earthquake

2016 Sumatra earthquake
Date 2 March 2016 (2016-03-02)
Origin time 7:49 p.m local time
Magnitude 7.8 Mw
Depth 24 km (15 mi)
Epicenter 4°54′29″S 94°16′30″E / 4.908°S 94.275°E / -4.908; 94.275Coordinates: 4°54′29″S 94°16′30″E / 4.908°S 94.275°E / -4.908; 94.275
Areas affected Sumatra
Max. intensity III (Weak)[1]
Casualties None[2]

The 2016 Sumatra earthquake was a 7.8 magnitude earthquake which struck on 2 March 2016 in the Indian Ocean, approximately 800 kilometers (500 miles) southwest of Sumatra in Indonesia.[3][4][5][6] Tsunami warnings were issued for Indonesia and Australia,[7] but were withdrawn two hours later.[8] Heronimus Guru, the National Meteorological Agency's deputy head of operations, initially stated that "there are some who have died", without citing an official death toll;[9] however, it is now known that there were no deaths directly related to the earthquake.[10] Along with events in Ecuador and New Zealand, it was one of the three strongest earthquakes to strike in the year 2016, although with the lowest death toll.

Description

The United States Geological Survey stated that the earthquake struck Wednesday evening and had a magnitude of 7.8. Originally, the USGS gave the earthquake a magnitude of 8.2; this was later downgraded to 8.1, then 7.9, until the official magnitude was confirmed to be 7.8.[11]

The earthquake was centered under the ocean at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). It was determined that the earthquake was a result of movement on a strike-slip fault, and was similar to the 2012 Indian Ocean earthquakes.[12] The epicenter of the earthquake was approximately 805 kilometers (500 miles) southwest of Padang, the capital of the province of West Sumatra;[13] the closest inhabited land to the epicenter was the Mentawai Islands, also part of West Sumatra.[14] Tremors from the quake were felt as far away as Singapore and Malaysia, though no injuries were reported outside of Indonesia.[15][16]

About three hours after the initial earthquake (around 11:00 p.m. local time), a second, less powerful earthquake struck about 242 kilometers (150 miles) northeast of the original epicenter. With a magnitude of 5.2 and a depth of 123 miles, it was determined that this aftershock did not pose a tsunami risk.[17]

Effect and aftermath

Initial reports of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami warnings caused many inhabitants of Sumatra and the surrounding regions to flee to higher ground. However, within several hours of the earthquake, the government of Indonesia had lifted all tsunami warnings for the area. Australian government organizations also lifted tsunami warnings put in effect for Cocos Island, Christmas Island, and parts of coastal mainland Australia.[18] The head of Indonesia's Meteorology and Geophysics Agency, Andi Eka Sakya, stated that the "potential for a tsunami" was "very small", due to the fact that the epicenter of the quake was not located along a major fault or subduction zone.[19]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "M7.8 - Southwest of Sumatra, Indonesia". United States Geological Survey. 9 April 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  2. ↑ "Aftershocks rock Indonesia after massive quake, calls for calm". Reuters. March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  3. ↑ "POWERFUL QUAKE HITS OFF INDONESIA, TSUNAMI WARNING ISSUED". ABC7. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  4. ↑ "M 7.8 - SOUTHWEST OF SUMATRA, INDONESIA - 2016-03-02 12:49:46 UTC". EMSC.
  5. ↑ "Massive quake off west Sumatra, tsunami warning issued". The Star. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  6. ↑ "Earthquake affects the coast of Indonesia". 24 Horas. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  7. ↑ Rhian Lubin, Sam Webb (2 March 2016). "Indonesia earthquake: Tsunami fears after massive 7.9 magnitude quake hits". The Mirror.
  8. ↑ "Powerful earthquake strikes near Indonesia". The Guardian. 2 March 2016.
  9. ↑ "Deaths reported after 7.8 quake strikes off Indonesia, tsunami warning issued". RT. 2 March 2016.
  10. ↑ "DFA: No Pinoys hurt in Indonesia quake". The Manila Times. March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Deaths reported after 7.8 quake strikes off Indonesia, tsunami warning issued". March 2, 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
  12. ↑ "M7.8 - Southwest of Sumatra, Indonesia". United States Geological Survey. March 2, 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Indonesia Lifts Tsunami Warning After Powerful Earthquake".
  14. ↑ "Indonesia Earthquake: Major quake strikes near West Sumatra, Indonesia". The Sydney Morning Herald. March 2, 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Sumatra quake: Tremors felt in Singapore; authorities urge calm".
  16. ↑ Malaysians wary after 7.9-magnitude quake hits Sumatra | Malaysia | Malay Mail Online
  17. ↑ "Big Earthquake Strikes Off Indonesia; Little Damage Reported". The New York Times. March 2, 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Indonesia earthquake off Sumatra measures 7.8". BBC. March 2, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  19. ↑ "Massive earthquake strikes off Indonesia". CBS News. March 2, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
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