2009 West Papua earthquakes
Earthquake in Southwest Papua, Indonesia
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The 2009 West Papua earthquakes occurred on January 4 local time in Indonesia's Tambrauw Regency in Southwest Papua (then West Papua Province). The very large earthquake doublet comprised an initial moment magnitude (Mw) 7.6 shock during which the shaking reached a maximum intensity of VI (Strong) on the Modified Mercalli intensity scale and a second event measuring Mw 7.4 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of VII (Very strong). The events took place less than three hours apart to the east-northeast of Sorong on the Bird's Head Peninsula and left at least four people dead and dozens injured.
- Doublet earthquake:
- A: 2009-01-03 19:43:55
- B: 2009-01-03 22:33:42
- January 4, 2009
| |
  Location within Indonesia | |
| UTC time |
|
|---|---|
| ISC event | |
| USGS-ANSS | |
| Local date |
|
| Local time |
|
| Magnitude | |
| Depth |
|
| Epicenter | 0.414°S 132.885°E |
| Type | Thrust[4] |
| Areas affected | Indonesia |
| Max. intensity | A: MMI VI (Strong)[5] B: MMI VII (Very strong)[6] |
| Tsunami | 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in)[7] |
| Casualties | 4 dead, dozens injured |
Earthquake
There were twenty-three aftershocks above magnitude 5.0 and another at magnitude 6.0. The earthquakes were also felt in nearby Papua New Guinea and Darwin, Australia.[8][9]
Impact
An official of World Vision International, a humanitarian aid organization, said ten buildings had been destroyed, including several hotels and the house of a government official. Officials said three people, who had been staying at the Mutiara hotel in the city of Manokwari, were pulled alive from the rubble and taken to a hospital. Two hotels collapsed in the quake.