"Environmental Hazards Newsletter - Special Project" 23rd Oct 2018
The September 28, 2018, M 7.5 earthquake near Sulawesi, Indonesia occurred as a result of strike-slip faulting at shallow depths within the interior of the Molucca Sea microplate, part of the broader Sunda tectonic plate. Focal mechanism solutions for the earthquake indicate rupture occurred on either a left-lateral north-south striking fault, or along a right-lateral east-west striking fault. Eastern Indonesia is characterized by complex tectonics in which motions of numerous small microplates are accommodating large-scale convergence between the Australia, Sunda, Pacific, and Philippine Sea plates. At the location of the September 28th earthquake, the Sunda plate moves south with respect to Molucca Sea plate at a velocity of about 30 mm/year. At least 1300 people have been confirmed dead, with more than 500 injured. 200,000 people were in urgent need of assistance, about a quarter of them children. The earthquake caused widespread liquefaction, which is when soil and groundwater mix. The ground becomes very soft, similar to quicksand. It causes foundations of buildings and other structures to sink into the ground.
A Very Unsual Tsunami: The 2018 Sulawesi Earthquake
Last Friday, an unusual sequence of events unfolded on Sulawesi Island in Indonesia, with catastrophic results.
Central Sulawesi quake, tsunami inflicted US$911 million in losses: Govt
The earthquake and ensuing tsunami that devastated Central Sulawesi resulted in at least Rp 13.82 trillion (US$911 million) in economic losses, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) data.
Volcano erupts on Indonesian island hit by tsunami and earthquake
A volcano has erupted in central Indonesia just days after the area was hit by an earthquake and tsunami. Mount Soputan in North Sulawesi province spewed ash nearly 20,000ft into the sky.
A Tsunami Didn’t Destroy These 1,747 Homes. It Was the Ground Itself, Flowing.
The earthquake that hit Palu in Sulawesi caused a phenomenon known as liquefaction which destroyed at least 1,747 homes in Balaroa. The area is now a vast wasteland of debris. Rooftops are all that remain of many houses. The minaret of a mosque, leaning precariously to one side, is one of the few structures still standing.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/03/world/asia/indonesia-earthquake-tsunami-liquefaction.html
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M 7.5 - 78km N of Palu, Indonesia
The September 28, 2018, M 7.5 earthquake near Sulawesi, Indonesia occurred as a result of strike-slip faulting at shallow depths within the interior of the Molucca Sea microplate, part of the broader Sunda tectonic plate.
2018 Sulawesi, Indonesia Earthquake and Tsunami Case Study
On Friday 28th September 2018 a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck Palu, on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, just before dusk on Friday 28th September 2018 wreaking havoc and destruction across the city and triggering a deadly tsunami on its coast. The 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit only six miles from the country’s coast.
Indonesia Winds Down Search for Victims of Devastating Earthquake and Tsunami
At least 2,045 people have been confirmed dead and as many as 5,000 others are believed to be missing after a 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck the coast of one of the Southeast Asian archipelago’s largest islands on Sept. 28.
Indonesia's double disaster exposes earthquake lessons not learned
Despite improvements at a national level in disaster management since a devastating Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, local authorities in Indonesia often lack know-how and equipment. The country’s disaster response budget is currently 4 trillion rupiah ($262 million) a year, equivalent to 0.002 percent of the state budget.
WHO Indonesia: Sulawesi Earthquake and Tsunami Situation Report #9
Report on the Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami from the World Health Organization
