2009 Sumatra earthquakes
For the magnitude 6.7 earthquake in August 2009, see August 2009 Sumatra earthquake
The 2009 Sumatra earthquakes occurred just off the southern coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The major shock hit at 17:16:10 local time on September 30, 2009 (10:16:10 UTC)[3] and had a moment magnitude of 7.6.[3] The epicenter was 45 kilometres (28 mi) west-northwest of Padang, Sumatra, and 220 kilometres (140 mi) southwest of Pekanbaru, Sumatra. Death-toll estimates extend beyond 1300, with thousands more trapped in collapsed buildings and under landslides. Government reports confirmed 807 dead, 891 severely injured and 1,365 slightly injured in West Sumatra province. The most deaths occurred in the areas of Padang Pariaman (359), Padang (312), Agam (80) and Pariaman (37). In addition, around 135,000 houses are severely damaged, 63,000 houses are moderately damaged and 67,000 houses are slightly damaged.
Background
Indonesia is situated within a zone of intense seismic activity known as the "Pacific Ring of Fire". It is located on one of the world's most active fault lines along the "Ring of Fire" where the Indo-Australian Plate is being subducted beneath the Eurasian plate. The subduction creates regular earthquakes. Because of its depth and the computed focal mechanism, the first earthquake is thought to have resulted from deformation within the descending Indo-Australian plate, rather than from movement on the plate boundary itself.The second earthquake has been linked to dextral (right-lateral) movement on the Great Sumatran fault which takes up the strike-slip component of the convergence between the two plates.
Effects
Tremors from the first earthquakes were felt in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, Malaysia and Singapore.The management of some high-rise buildings in Singapore evacuated their staff.
A tsunami watch was triggered and there are reports of house damage and fires. Hotels in Padang have been destroyed, and communications to the city were disrupted. Local news channel Metro TV reported fires in Padang where panicked residents had run onto the streets as the first quake hit. Teams of rescuers from nearby branches of the National Search and Rescue Agency have been deployed to Padang. Large buildings came down in the earthquake. It was also reported that some water pipes in Padang were broken and there was flooding in the street.[13] There have also been reports that at least two hospitals and several schools have collapsed as a result of the earthquake.Padang's Minangkabau International Airport suffered minor damage, with parts of the ceiling in the boarding area falling down.The airport reopened on 1 October.
Responses
Indonesian officials have suggested that the death toll is likely to rise sharply, because of the large number of people trapped in collapsed buildings. Authorities announced that several disaster management teams were en route to Padang although it took several hours for them to reach more remote areasRescue workers pulled dozens of survivors from the rubble and rushed them to Djamil Hospital. The hospital itself was overwhelmed with patients, and many patients were treated in tents set up outside the hospital. A man was trapped beneath a flattened hotel for 25 hours with a broken leg before rescue workers pulled him free. The Indonesian military deployed emergency response teams with earth moving equipment to help move rubble and recover trapped victims.[18] Rescue workers and volunteers searched the rubble of a collapsed 30 story school building, rescuing survivors and recovering bodies while parents waited nearby. Indonesian villagers used their bare hands to sift through ruins and try to find survivors. On October 5, Indonesian rescue workers called off their search for trapped survivors and increased efforts to recover bodies, clear rubble, and provide aid to survivors.[19] Indonesian authorities used helicopters to airdrop instant noodles, blankets, milk, and dry food into remote areas, and to bring the wounded from these areas to hospitals.
World Vision, Oxfam, IFRC, Muslim Charity and Mercy Corps have confirmed that they are flying their emergency response teams to the devastated Padang area to do the rapid assessment of the catastrophe. The Red Cross is seeking donations to help cover earthquake relief costs. World Vision has also airlifted 2,000 collapsible water containers and will distribute them immediately to the area most affected by earthquake. Additionally World Vision has launch US$ 1 million appeal for the relief effort. (wikipedia.org)
