earthquake

The region of Papua, Indonesia suffered an earthquake measuring 6.5 in magnitude, Monday, Aug. 14, 2017, at 23:49:29 UTC. Primary areas that were affected include Ubrub, Abepura, and Jayapura. This is the second consecutive earthquake reported in Indonesia this week. The Southeast Asian nation was hit yesterday by a quake of the same magnitude.

There is no tsunami warning, advisory, watch, or threat in Indonesia, according to the USGS.

The earthquake registered a 6.5 magnitude on the Richter scale with a profundity of 36.5 kilometers. However, this is the second earthquake that has reached Indonesia in the same week. The Sunday quake was 6.4 in magnitude with at a depth of 35 kilometers (21 miles). The epicenter, of this last event, was in Sumatra, an Indonesian island on the west side.

The areas affected by today’s quake include:

  • Jayapura, the provincial capital of Papua, with a population of 134,895;
  • Abepura with a population of 62,248;
  • areas of New Guinea, with 11,204 people;
  • Kiunga with a population of 11,536.

The USGS estimated that there are no fatalities or economic losses resulting from the temblor. Also, the reported shake sensation was classified as a IV, this means it was a light wave.

Written by Bassil Sockar
Edited by Jeanette Smith

Sources:

USGS: M 5.5 – 141km SSW of Abepura, Indonesia
Fox News World: Strong earthquake strikes off Indonesian island of Sumatra
THE STRAITS TIMES: Earthquake of magnitude 6.5 strikes west off Indonesia’s Sumatra; tremors felt in Singapore
Indian Express: Indonesia earthquake: 6.4 magnitude quake jolts Sumatra

Top and Featured Image Courtesy of Richard Walker’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License

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