Large Quake Could Strike Near Padang, Sumatra

Strong Earthquake Measuring 6.2 Mw Strikes Kepulauan Mentawai Region, Indonesia

An earthquake measuring 6.2 Mw struck Kepulauan Mentawai Region, about 115 km (70 miles) WSW of Padang, Sumatra, Indonesia, at a depth of about 22km. The mainshock was followed by at least one aftershock measuring 5.3Mw.

More than two dozen quakes measuring 5.0Mw or larger, including a 6.9Mw quake that occurred in August 2009, have struck the area since mid August 2009.

Based on the existing information, FEWW EarthModel forecasts a large quake measuring ≥8.0 could strike near Padang, the capital and largest city of West Sumatra, Indonesia.

Padang has a population of about 800,000 people.

Earthquake Details:

Region: Southern Sumatra, Indonesia
Time: 2009-12-23 01:11:59.6 UTC
Magnitude: 6.2 [estimated by FEWW]
Epicenter: 99.47°E 1.43°S   [location estimated by USGS: 1.419°S, 99.448°E]
Depth: 27 km

EQ Location Map. Source: GFZ Potsdam – Earthquake Bulletin. Image may be subject to copyright.

Seismic Hazard Map

Major Tectonic Boundaries: Subduction Zones -purple, Ridges -red and Transform Faults -green. Source: USGS/EHP

Historic Seismicity

Major Tectonic Boundaries: Subduction Zones -purple, Ridges -red and Transform Faults -green. Source: USGS/EHP

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