Earthquakes: Human Enhanced Disasters – UPDATE 2 Oct 2009

Sumatra Double Earthquakes

FEWW Moderators believe it’s highly probable that another 2 or more strong to powerful quakes could strike the region in the coming days. Padang and other coastal towns in Sumatra and Java must also prepare for a possible tsunami.

At least 1,200 bodies have been recovered following widespread damage after a magnitude 7.9 quake  struck southern Sumatra, Indonesia, on Wednesday, according to the officials.

The Death Toll Could Reach Many Thousands

There are no reports of deaths from the 6.8 magnitude quake that struck southern Sumatra  on Thursday. However. a local radio station reported that a dozen 12 people had been injured and up to 75 building damaged in  the town of Jambi.

“People are trapped and screaming for help but they are below huge slabs which will take heavy equipment to move,” an aid worker said.

“I saw dozens of the biggest buildings collapsed in town. Most of the damage is concentrated in the commercial center market, which was fully packed,” he said.

Images that will be repeated throughout the world, again, and again

Residents stand near the bodies of earthquake victims at a hospital in Padang on Indonesia’s Sumatra
island October 1, 2009.  REUTERS/Muhammad Fitrah/Singgalang Newspaper

Regional Economy

West Sumatra, a major producer of crude palm oil, is also affected economically.

Indonesia’s finance minister Sri Mulyani said: “This region has been damaged seriously, including its infrastructure,” adding that her government has allocated $25 million over two month for emergency operations.

Related Links:

• Another Strong Quake Hits Sumatra
• Disaster Update: Indonesia Quake

• Powerful Earthquake Strikes Southern Sumatra, Indonesia
• Deadly Earthquake Strikes Java, Indonesia
• Magnitude 8.3 Quake Strikes Samoa Islands Region
• The Largest Earthquake
• Earthquakes [Main Index Page]

• Reuters Photo Gallery

Sumatra’s Mt Kerinci Erupts

Sumatra’s Mt Kerinci volcano erupts at least 3 times

Mount Kerinci, the highest mountain in Sumatra, is undergoing a period of unrest, punctuated by at least three explosive eruption, spewing smoke and ash into the air.

The local volcano observation monitor also reported  repeated tremors at the base of the volcano.

Two explosive eruptions were reported Sunday and Monday, spewing smoke and ash to a height of about 400m with ash covering the tea plantations on the mountain slope and posing a threat to the populated areas below.

Another, less powerful, explosion reportedly occurred earlier today.

The head of Mount Kerinci Observation Post was reported as saying that Kerinci volcano has been showing signs of unrest in the past week.

“We have warned local people to remain cautious. We told them it’s better to wear mask when going outdoor,” he said.

One of the most active volcanoes  in Indonesia, the 3,800-meter high Mt. Kerinci, a stratovolcano,  sits on the border of Jambi and West Sumatra .

Related Links:

• Sumatran volcano shows intensified volcanic activity
  http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/04/21/sumatran-volcano-shows-intensified-volcanic-activity.html

Kerinci

Country: Indonesia
Region: Sumatra
Volcano Type: Stratovolcano
Last Known Eruption: 2008
Summit Elevation: 3,800m  (12,467 feet)
Latitude: 1.697°S    (1°41’50″S)
Longitude: 101.264°E  (101°15’52″E)

Mount Kerinci, Sumatra, Indonesia. Photo: Tom Casadevall/USGS (1987).

The unvegetated summit of 3800-m-high Gunung Kerinci in central Sumatra, Indonesia’s highest volcano, is seen from Pengamatan on its southern flank. Kerinci is one of the most active volcanoes in Sumatra and has been the source of numerous moderate explosive eruptions since its first recorded eruption in 1838. The massive 13 x 25 km wide volcano towers 2400-3300 m above surrounding plains and is elongated in a N-S direction. Photo by Umar Rosadi, 2005 (Centre of Volcanology & Geological Hazard Mitigation, Volcanological Survey of Indonesia). Caption: GVP

FEWW Volcanic Forecast:

1. The Loyalty – New Hebrides  Arc Collision. Intense volcanic activity should be expected throughout 2009 and beyond along the New Hebrides arc, the Vanatu region (also to the north to include Solomon Island and Santa Cruz Island), possibly continued along the New Hebrides Trench (to include Matthew and Hunter Island). Volcanoes that are located in the above-described area include:

• Savo (Solomon Island)
• Tinakula (Santa Cruz Island – SW Pacific)
• Suretamatai
• Motlav
• Gaua
• Mere Lava
• Aoba
• Ambrym
• Lopevi
• Kuwae
• North Vate
• Traitor’s Head
• Yasur
• Eastern Gemini Seamount
• Matthew Island
• Hunter Island

2. Pacific Plate subduction beneath the Okhotsk Plate. Subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Okhotsk Plate continues to create Intense volcanism. Starting 2009, however, a much greaterthan the average number of volcanoes located on the Kuril Islands island arc, Kamchatka volcanic arc and Japan trench to the south may erupt with renewed intensity.

Related Link and FEWW previous forecasts:

• Weekly Volcano Watch: 16 April 2009
• Weekly Volcano Watch: 2 April 2009