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2012 Indian Ocean earthquakes: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 2°18′40″N 93°03′47″E / 2.311°N 93.063°E / 2.311; 93.063
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|type =[[undersea earthquake|Undersea]] ([[Strike-slip fault|strike-slip]])<ref>{{cite web|title=Huge quakes strike off Indonesia; tsunami warning issued|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/11/us-indonesia-earthquake-idUSBRE83A0BB20120411|publisher=Reuters|date=11 April 2012|accessdate=11 April 2012}}</ref>
|type =[[undersea earthquake|Undersea]] ([[Strike-slip fault|strike-slip]])<ref>{{cite web|title=Huge quakes strike off Indonesia; tsunami warning issued|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/11/us-indonesia-earthquake-idUSBRE83A0BB20120411|publisher=Reuters|date=11 April 2012|accessdate=11 April 2012}}</ref>
|countries affected = {{BGD}}<br>{{IND}}<br>{{IDN}}<br>{{MYS}}<br>{{SGP}}<br>{{LKA}}<br>{{THA}}<ref name="bbc">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17675399|title=Indian Ocean tsunami alert lifted after Aceh quake|publisher=BBC News|date=11 April 2012|accessdate=11 April 2012}}</ref>
|countries affected = {{BGD}}<br>{{IND}}<br>{{IDN}}<br>{{MYS}}<br>{{SGP}}<br>{{LKA}}<br>{{THA}}<ref name="bbc">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17675399|title=Indian Ocean tsunami alert lifted after Aceh quake|publisher=BBC News|date=11 April 2012|accessdate=11 April 2012}}</ref>
|countries affected ={{BGD|23px}}<br>{{IND|23px}}<br>{{IDN|23px}}<br>{{MYS|23px}}<br>{{SGP|23px}}<br>{{LKA|23px}}<br>{{THA|23px}}<ref name="bbc">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17675399|title=Indian Ocean tsunami alert lifted after Aceh quake|publisher=BBC News|date=11 April 2012|accessdate=11 April 2012}}</ref>
|countries affected ={{BGD|23px}}<br>{{IND|23px}}<br>{{IDN|23px}}<br>{{MYS|23px}}<br>{{SGP|23px}}<br>{{LKA|23px}}<br>{{THA|23px}}<br>{{MDV|23px}}<ref name="bbc">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17675399|title=Indian Ocean tsunami alert lifted after Aceh quake|publisher=BBC News|date=11 April 2012|accessdate=11 April 2012}}</ref>
|damage =
|damage =
|intensity =
|intensity =
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After the earthquake, which took place about {{convert|500|km|mi}} south-west from [[Banda Aceh]], people in Indonesia and India left their homes and offices in fear.<ref name=TOI/> Amid crowded streets in Aceh people headed for higher ground.<ref name="tvnz">{{cite web|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/world-news/massive-earthquake-off-indonesia-4828379|accessdate=11 April 2012|date=11 April 2012|publisher=[[TVNZ]]|title=Massive earthquake off Indonesia}}</ref><ref name="aljaz"/> In Aceh women and children cried, as people's memories are still raw of a 2004 tsunami that killed 170,000 people in the province alone. Others screamed "Allah Hu Akbar"(God is great) as they poured from their homes or searched frantically for separated family members.<ref>{{cite web|first=NDTV News|title=Strong Indonesian quakes cause panic, not tsunami|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/strong-indonesian-quakes-cause-panic-not-tsunami-196545?pfrom=home-world|work=Associated Press|accessdate=12 April 2012|language=Women and children cried in Aceh, where memories are still raw of a 2004 tsunami that killed 170,000 people in the province alone. Others screamed "God is great" as they poured from their homes or searched frantically for separated family members}}</ref>. Residents were seen fleeing to high ground in cars and on the backs of motorcycles. Patients were wheeled out of hospitals, some still lying in their beds with drips attached to their arms. And at least one hotel guest was slightly injured when he jumped out of his window.<ref>{{cite web|first=NDTV News|title=Strong Indonesian quakes cause panic, not tsunami|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/strong-indonesian-quakes-cause-panic-not-tsunami-196545?pfrom=home-world|work=Associated Press|accessdate=12 April 2012}}</ref>
After the earthquake, which took place about {{convert|500|km|mi}} south-west from [[Banda Aceh]], people in Indonesia and India left their homes and offices in fear.<ref name=TOI/> Amid crowded streets in Aceh people headed for higher ground.<ref name="tvnz">{{cite web|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/world-news/massive-earthquake-off-indonesia-4828379|accessdate=11 April 2012|date=11 April 2012|publisher=[[TVNZ]]|title=Massive earthquake off Indonesia}}</ref><ref name="aljaz"/> In Aceh women and children cried, as people's memories are still raw of a 2004 tsunami that killed 170,000 people in the province alone. Others screamed "Allah Hu Akbar"(God is great) as they poured from their homes or searched frantically for separated family members.<ref>{{cite web|first=NDTV News|title=Strong Indonesian quakes cause panic, not tsunami|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/strong-indonesian-quakes-cause-panic-not-tsunami-196545?pfrom=home-world|work=Associated Press|accessdate=12 April 2012|language=Women and children cried in Aceh, where memories are still raw of a 2004 tsunami that killed 170,000 people in the province alone. Others screamed "God is great" as they poured from their homes or searched frantically for separated family members}}</ref>. Residents were seen fleeing to high ground in cars and on the backs of motorcycles. Patients were wheeled out of hospitals, some still lying in their beds with drips attached to their arms. And at least one hotel guest was slightly injured when he jumped out of his window.<ref>{{cite web|first=NDTV News|title=Strong Indonesian quakes cause panic, not tsunami|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/strong-indonesian-quakes-cause-panic-not-tsunami-196545?pfrom=home-world|work=Associated Press|accessdate=12 April 2012}}</ref>


Besides Indonesia, the earthquake could be felt over a large area such as the eastern coast of India, including in [[Chennai]], [[Bangalore]], [[Kochi]], [[Bhubaneswar]] and [[Kolkata]]. The Metro Rail services were suspended in Kolkata, and passengers were asked to leave stations.<ref>{{cite news|author=PTI |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/article3303405.ece |title=News : Tremors across eastern coast; people evacuated from Andamans |publisher=[[The Hindu]] |date=11 April 2012 |accessdate=11 April 2012}}</ref> In Malaysia, shaking was felt in [[Penang]] and [[Kuala Lumpur]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesundaily.my/news/346788 |title=8.6 earthquake hits Aceh, tsunami alert issued (Update) &#124; theSundaily |publisher=Thesundaily.my |date=11 April 2012 |accessdate=11 April 2012}}</ref> The tremor was felt in [[Colombo]], [[Sri Lanka]], where people in some high rise buildings were evacuated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itnnews.lk/latest/?p=38153 |title=Large Aceh quake triggers Indian Ocean tsunami warning – Tremor felt in Colombo &#124; Independent Television Network News |publisher=Itnnews.lk |date=11 April 2012 |accessdate=11 April 2012}}</ref> Tremors were also felt in Singapore, Bangladesh, Burma, and Thailand.<Ref name="bbc"/><ref>http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-04/11/c_131520443.htm</ref>
Besides Indonesia, the earthquake could be felt over a large area such as the eastern coast of India, including in [[Chennai]], [[Bangalore]], [[Kochi]], [[Bhubaneswar]] and [[Kolkata]]. The Metro Rail services were suspended in Kolkata, and passengers were asked to leave stations.<ref>{{cite news|author=PTI |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/article3303405.ece |title=News : Tremors across eastern coast; people evacuated from Andamans |publisher=[[The Hindu]] |date=11 April 2012 |accessdate=11 April 2012}}</ref> In Malaysia, shaking was felt in [[Penang]] and [[Kuala Lumpur]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesundaily.my/news/346788 |title=8.6 earthquake hits Aceh, tsunami alert issued (Update) &#124; theSundaily |publisher=Thesundaily.my |date=11 April 2012 |accessdate=11 April 2012}}</ref> The tremor was felt in [[Colombo]], [[Sri Lanka]], where people in some high rise buildings were evacuated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itnnews.lk/latest/?p=38153 |title=Large Aceh quake triggers Indian Ocean tsunami warning – Tremor felt in Colombo &#124; Independent Television Network News |publisher=Itnnews.lk |date=11 April 2012 |accessdate=11 April 2012}}</ref> Tremors were also felt in Maldives, Singapore, Bangladesh, Burma, and Thailand.<Ref name="bbc"/><ref>http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-04/11/c_131520443.htm</ref>


=== Aftershocks ===
=== Aftershocks ===

Revision as of 06:00, 12 April 2012

2012 Indian Ocean earthquake
USGS map of the 2012 Indian Ocean Earthquake
UTC time??
Duration3[1] – 5 minutes[2]
Magnitude8.6 Mw[3]
Depth22.9 km (14 mi)[3]
Epicenter2°18′40″N 93°03′47″E / 2.311°N 93.063°E / 2.311; 93.063[3]
TypeUndersea (strike-slip)[4]
Areas affected Bangladesh
 India
 Indonesia
 Malaysia
 Singapore
 Sri Lanka
 Thailand
 Maldives[2]
TsunamiMinor
ForeshocksNo
Aftershocks17
CasualtiesUnknown

The 2012 Indian Ocean earthquake was an 8.6-magnitude[5] undersea earthquake that struck near the Indonesian province of Aceh on Wednesday, 11 April 2012 at 15:38 local time. Initially, there were fears that the earthquake would also result in a tsunami. Tsunami warnings that were issued across the Indian Ocean were subsequently downgraded or canceled.[2][6][7][8]

Background

The region previously faced the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami where the quake took place about 250 km south-south-east from Banda Aceh.[9]

Earthquake

The magnitude 8.6 (Mw) at a depth of 33 kilometres (21 mi)[1] earthquake occurred inland at 08:38 UTC on 11 April, at about 434 kilometres (270 mi) southwest of Banda Aceh, Indonesia at a shallow depth of 22.9 km (14.2 mi).[3] It was originally reported as 8.9. Phillip Charlesworth, the head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies based in Jakarta said that the earthquake lasted for 3 minutes. The earthquake was also felt in Padang.[1]

After the earthquake, which took place about 500 kilometres (310 mi) south-west from Banda Aceh, people in Indonesia and India left their homes and offices in fear.[8] Amid crowded streets in Aceh people headed for higher ground.[10][1] In Aceh women and children cried, as people's memories are still raw of a 2004 tsunami that killed 170,000 people in the province alone. Others screamed "Allah Hu Akbar"(God is great) as they poured from their homes or searched frantically for separated family members.[11]. Residents were seen fleeing to high ground in cars and on the backs of motorcycles. Patients were wheeled out of hospitals, some still lying in their beds with drips attached to their arms. And at least one hotel guest was slightly injured when he jumped out of his window.[12]

Besides Indonesia, the earthquake could be felt over a large area such as the eastern coast of India, including in Chennai, Bangalore, Kochi, Bhubaneswar and Kolkata. The Metro Rail services were suspended in Kolkata, and passengers were asked to leave stations.[13] In Malaysia, shaking was felt in Penang and Kuala Lumpur.[14] The tremor was felt in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where people in some high rise buildings were evacuated.[15] Tremors were also felt in Maldives, Singapore, Bangladesh, Burma, and Thailand.[2][16]

Aftershocks

An aftershock with a magnitude of 8.2 struck at the depth of 16.4 kilometres (10.2 mi) off Sumatra at 10:43 UTC, two hours after the initial 8.6-magnitude earthquake.[17] Twenty-one aftershocks with magnitudes from 5.0 to 6.0 were also recorded several hours after the initial earthquake off the west coast of northern Sumatra.[18][19]

Unusual characteristics

The earthquake was caused by strike-slip motion. The earthquake and the largest aftershock had a fault displacement of 70 feet (21 m). This was the 11th strongest earthquake since 1900.[20]

Tsunami

Small waves of roughly 0.5 metres, within regular tide limits were reported on the Campbell Bay area of Great Nicobar Island,[1] as well as 10 centimetre waves in Thailand.[21][22] The Indonesian Meteorology and Geophysics Agency has since announced at least three tsunamis have struck the Aceh coast, the highest striking the city of Meulaboh at 80 centimetres (31 inches).[23] A one-metre wave was observed on Simeulue, without causing any significant damage.[24]

Tsunami warnings

Three hours after the initial quake it was still unclear whether a tsunami had been generated or if one had done any significant damage. A geophysicist from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) stated that a gauge closest to the epicenter of the quake off the northern coast of Sumatra recorded a peak of about a metre.[25] A bulletin issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center at 10:14 UTC stated that a tsunami was generated and may have been destructive along some coasts already.[26] Indonesian authorities also issued a statement saying that the probability of occurrence of a tsunami was low.[27]

Initially when tsunami warnings were issued the following countries were affected: Indonesia, Australia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Pakistan, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Seychelles, Mozambique, Mauritius, Comoros, Madagascar, South Africa and the dependencies of Diego Garcia as part of the British Indian Ocean Territories, Crozet Islands, Reunion and Kerguelen Islands. The timings of a possible tsunami in GMT were: 8:38 for Indonesia, 11:38 for Sri Lanka, 14:38 for the Seychelles, 17:38 for Madagascar and 20:38 for South Africa.[1]

India

After the earthquake, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) issued red high-level tsunami warning for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.[28] In response to the earthquake, local authorities in cities and regions along the coast of India instructed civilians to move to higher grounds and to leave beaches and other shoreline areas.[29] The warnings that were initially issued for Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands have since been withdrawn.[30] Prabkhakar Rao of the disaster control room in Port Blair said that there could be tsunamis as high as 1.5 metres at Port Blair and 3.9 metres at Campbell Bay.[1]

Evacuation order issued by Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights in Sri Lanka.

Underground Metro Railways services were stopped in Kolkata, and tall office buildings and shopping malls were evacuated. Armed Forces, especially Navy warships were put on high "State 1" alert, triggering memories of 2004 Tsunami. Air Force despatched two C-130 and one Il-76 aircraft for the Andaman islands.[31]

Sri Lanka

The Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights (DMC) authorised an evacuation order[32] issued by the Department of Meteorology in Sri Lanka for all those living near the coastal regions to move to higher ground at 8:08 UTC. It said that Sri Lanka will not be affected by the preliminary earthquake, however, it would continue to monitor the situation to assess any potential effects of possible aftershocks.[33] Deputy Director M. D. Dayananda said that a tsunami could hit Trincomalee.[1]

As part of a Risk mitigation measures, the Ceylon Electricity Board disconnected power supplies to coastal areas and railway control rooms. Train services on the coastal lines were also suspended till further notice.[34] The Road Development Authority has deemed use of the Southern Sri Lanka Distributor free of charge in order to minimise delays and ensure timely evacuation of residents.[35] All bus services using coastal routes had also been re-routed until further notice. [36]

Thailand

Six provinces of Thailand[which?] issued orders for people to go to high ground and stay away from areas that could conceivably be affected. Phuket International Airport was also closed.[1] The alerts caused panic as people fled buildings and made for high ground.[citation needed]

During the earthquake and for more than two subsequent hours, none of Thai free televisions presented the news about the earthquake and the tsunami warnings as they were live broadcasting the royal family ceremony, even though the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has issued an urgent order directing the emergency information to be broadcast instead without delay.[37]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Indian Ocean on tsunami alert after quakes". Al Jazeera. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d "Indian Ocean tsunami alert lifted after Aceh quake". BBC News. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d "Magnitude 8.6 – OFF THE WEST COAST OF NORTHERN SUMATRA". United States Geological Survey. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  4. ^ "Huge quakes strike off Indonesia; tsunami warning issued". Reuters. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  5. ^ http://www.smh.com.au/world/tsunami-fears-after-indian-ocean-earthquake-rocks-indonesia-20120411-1wsbl.html
  6. ^ "Indian Ocean tsunami alert cancelled after two strong quakes hit off Sumatra, Indonesia". Herald Sun. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012. {{cite news}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  7. ^ "Huge quake strikes off Indonesia, tsunami warning issued". Reuters. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  8. ^ a b Reuters (11 April 2012). "Massive earthquake strikes Indonesia, tremors felt in India". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 April 2012. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  9. ^ "Banda Aceh". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  10. ^ "Massive earthquake off Indonesia". TVNZ. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  11. ^ "Strong Indonesian quakes cause panic, not tsunami". Associated Press (in Women and children cried in Aceh, where memories are still raw of a 2004 tsunami that killed 170, and 000 people in the province alone. Others screamed "God is great" as they poured from their homes or searched frantically for separated family members). Retrieved 12 April 2012. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help)CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  12. ^ "Strong Indonesian quakes cause panic, not tsunami". Associated Press. Retrieved 12 April 2012. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  13. ^ PTI (11 April 2012). "News : Tremors across eastern coast; people evacuated from Andamans". The Hindu. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  14. ^ "8.6 earthquake hits Aceh, tsunami alert issued (Update) | theSundaily". Thesundaily.my. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  15. ^ "Large Aceh quake triggers Indian Ocean tsunami warning – Tremor felt in Colombo | Independent Television Network News". Itnnews.lk. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  16. ^ http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-04/11/c_131520443.htm
  17. ^ "8.2-magnitude aftershock hits off Sumatra". US Geological Survey (USGS). 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  18. ^ "M8.2 – off the west coast of northern Sumatra". United States Geological Survey. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  19. ^ "Latest Earthquakes M5.0+ in the World – Past 7 days". Earthquake.usgs.gov. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  20. ^ "Scientists: Magnitude-8.6 Indonesia jolt was unusually large for a strike-slip quake; Winnipeg Free Press". Canadian Press. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  21. ^ "Small tsunami reaches Thailand after huge quake". The Daily Star. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  22. ^ "Strong Indonesian quakes cause panic across Asia, not tsunami". Emirates 24/7. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  23. ^ "Update: Indonesia Lifts Tsunami Warning, Residents Return Home". Jakarta Globe. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  24. ^ http://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/-/world/13397953/indonesian-quake-reawakens-tsunami-fears-in-asia/
  25. ^ "Indonesia earthquake: No damage to ocean basin, India withdraws tsunami warning". The Indian Express. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  26. ^ "Pacific Tsunami Warning Center/NOAA/NWS: Tsunami bulletin number 003". PTWC. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  27. ^ "Watch: Indonesia Reacts to 8.7 Magnitude Earthquake". TIMES. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  28. ^ AFP (11 April 2012). "Indonesia earthquake: India issues tsunami warning for Andaman and Nicobars". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  29. ^ "Earthquake in Indonesia: How India responded". NDTV. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  30. ^ "Earthquake in Indonesia: India withdraws tsunami warning". NDTV. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  31. ^ TOI, Times of India. "8.6 magnitude quake in Aceh triggers tsunami fears in India". Times Group.
  32. ^ "Tsunami warning in South and East | Top Story". Daily Mirror. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  33. ^ "Tsunami Warning Evacuation Bulletin". 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  34. ^ "Trains stopped, power to be disconnected | Breaking News". Daily Mirror. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  35. ^ "Expressway free of charge | Breaking News". Daily Mirror. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  36. ^ "Private buses stop in coastal areas | Breaking News". Daily Mirror. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  37. ^ ""สุภิญญา"ชี้แจง "กสทช."ร่อนจดหมายด่วนฟรีทีวีทุกช่อง "นำเสนอข่าวแผ่นดินไหว-สึนามิ"" (in Thai). Matichon. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dated= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
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