Magnitude 6.1 - PAPUA, INDONESIA

USGS Earthquake Hazards ^ | 2004 November 28

[bd476]

Magnitude 6.1 - PAPUA, INDONESIA
2004 November 28 07:36:47 UTC

Preliminary Earthquake Report
U.S. Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center
World Data Center for Seismology, Denver

A strong earthquake occurred at 07:36:47 (UTC) on Sunday, November 28, 2004. The magnitude 6.1 event has been located in PAPUA, INDONESIA. (This event has been reviewed by a seismologist.)

Magnitude	6.1
Date-Time	Sunday, November 28, 2004 at 07:36:47 (UTC) = Coordinated Universal Time Sunday, November 28, 2004 at 4:36:47 PM = local time at epicenter
Location	3.678°S, 135.457°E
Depth	35 km (21.7 miles) set by location program
Region	PAPUA, INDONESIA
Distances	95 km (60 miles) W of Enarotali, Papua, Indonesia 270 km (170 miles) NNE of Dobo, Aru Islands, Indonesia 1095 km (680 miles) NNE of DARWIN, Northern Territory, Australia 3195 km (1980 miles) E of JAKARTA, Java, Indonesia
Location Uncertainty	horizontal +/- 9.9 km (6.2 miles); depth fixed by location program
Parameters	Nst= 54, Nph= 54, Dmin=>999 km, Rmss=0.94 sec, Gp= 61°, M-type=moment magnitude (Mw), Version=7

[bd476]

This is the same location and same depth as the 7.2 earthquake which struck on Friday, where 17 people lost their lives.

[bd476]

Friday's quake was in the same area as this most recent one.

More on Friday's Quake:

From ABC Newsonline Australia:

Last Update: Friday, November 26, 2004. 11:34pm (AEDT)

"Papua earthquake kills 17"

"At least 17 people have been killed and more than 130 injured after an earthquake hit a town in Indonesia's Papua province for the second time in nine months.

Terrified residents in the coastal town of Nabire have pitched tents outside their homes amid continuous aftershocks, badly needing more tents and medicine.

"A total of 11 bodies have been identified but there are six others which are still buried under rubble of destroyed buildings," said Commissioner Wempi Batlayeri, the town's deputy police chief.

The quake and smaller shocks had injured 133 people, 30 of them seriously and destroyed 328 homes and other buildings, Commissioner Batlayeri said.

"The current condition in Nabire is pitch black, there is no lighting. Almost every minute aftershocks can be felt," he said.

Residents set up camp outside their houses fearing further tremors while tents were pitched outside the town's main hospital to treat victims.

"We are still waiting for supplies from Biak town. The airport's runway is cracked in six places but Twin Otter planes can still land here," Commissioner Batlayeri said..." (End excerpt. Link to story follows.)

-AFP Friday's Papua earthquake kills 17

[bd476]

Another quake, same area as Friday's Ping.

[Bandaneira]

Prayers for the good people of Papua and New Guinea. I have fond memories of our housekeeper "Bella" from my time as a child in PNG. I would like to visit Lae again one day and see if I could find her and her family. My all-time favourite movie "The Thin Red Line" always evokes powerful memories of my time in PNG, when I watch it.

[bd476]

Friday's 7.2 quake in Papua Indonesia: Magnitude 7.2 Papua Indonesia

[bd476]

Good thoughts and prayers to the people in this area. They have suffered much since Friday and now this. Hopefully no great damage from this latest quake.

There had been a 5.4 quake on the 26th, but it's likely they called it an aftershock to the 7.2 quake.

[oceanperch]

I saw a couple of 5pluses hit this must be a new one huh, I am going over to check.

Funny Colorado had a 2+ up on the list then it was taken down. Never seen a renig on the Earthquake list before.

Ok going over to see if USSG has it posted.

[bd476]

Related and breaking news from Yahoo Asia-Pacific AP News:

Sunday November 28, 3:44 PM

"Hundreds evacuated from island in Papua New Guinea over fears of volcano eruption"

"Hundreds of villagers were evacuated from an island in Papua New Guinea on Sunday as a volcano already blamed for the deaths of two people threatened another eruption, officials said.

Authorities planned to evacuate more than 9,000 people from Manam Island to hastily established care centers on the South Pacific country's mainland.

Luke Kalaua, an official with the Provincial Disaster Office, said a barge had carried 600 islanders on Sunday from Manam, where a volcano began erupting a month ago.

"There's not so much activity now but it is still spewing thick, black smoke," he said.

He said the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory had warned of rising activity that could trigger a major eruption soon.

A child and a woman are believed to have died from drinking ash-contaminated water, Kalaua said. Five other villagers were reportedly injured by the eruption, which left ash up to three meters (10 feet) deep in some places.

A surge in volcanic activity last week prompted authorities to raise the alert level, and the government pledged 1 million kina (US$400,000; €300,000) in assistance..."(End excerpt. Link to story follows)

Hundreds evacuate from island in Papua New Guinea

[oceanperch]

Nope nothing, I wonder if they post on the week ends?

[bd476]

There is late breaking new info on this same area.

Local authorities are evacuating "hundreds of people" from a local island in anticipation of a pending volcanic eruption. Because it's the same area, and there was an earlier 7.2 quake here on Friday with loss of life, I have put this thread into Breaking News and added the story here.

[bd476]

Not sure what you are looking for - the Colorado quake? I noticed that one too. There have been some occasions when they put up a quake on the list, and then remove it days later. The quake in Colorado was 3.0 or less, as I recall.

[oceanperch]

Good Grief where are the quakes hitting in correlation to the Volcano, if you know.

[bd476]

Is this the one you were looking for?

Colorado Quake Friday 26 Nov 2004 (local time) 2.5 Magnitude

[bd476]

Ping.

[oceanperch]

Yeah I know it was a little quake in Colorado I just have never seen them remove a post.

So the earthquake and volcano are in the same vicinity?

I am glad the are evacuating.
But sorry any hardship it brings by moving out of their homes.

I bet drinking volcanic ash water is like drinking fiborglass insulation in your water.

[bd476]

[bd476]

It must be terribly frightening there right now. The ground is shaking and now they have to worry about a volcano blowing up.

[bd476]

Ulawun Volcano, New Britain, Papua New Guinea

[bd476]

According to Rabaul Observatory, Papua New Guinea the most recent activity from Manam prior to now was on November 11, 2004.

Manam Volcano is the cause of the current evacuation:

Manam, Papua New Guinea
Location: 4.1S, 145.0E
Elevation: 5,927 feet (1,807 m)

"Manam is a basaltic stratovolcano 7.5 miles (12 km) north of Papua New Guinea. Its first known eruption was in 1616. Since then Manam has erupted at least 30 times. The volcano has been very active in the 20th century with 23 eruptions. Strombolian eruptions are most common.

Manam has been erupting since 1974, producing pyroclastic flows and lava flows. In October of 1994, a major explosive eruption at Manam sent a plume 6 miles (10 km) above the vent.

Incandescent projectiles were shot about a mile (1-2 km) above the crater. Although this most recent eruption has caused damaged there have been no fatalities. Photo by G.A. Taylor, August 1972. "

Photo courtesy of Jack Lockwood, U.S. Geological Survey.

Manam Volcano

[oceanperch]

Here is a link to maps and info on the island.


Papua New Guinea: Geography, Maps and Information
Address:http://geography.about.com/library/maps/blpapua.htm

[bd476]

From the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory in Papua New Guinea

[bd476]

Thank you, Oceanperch!

[bd476]

A view of Manam Volcano from the Space Shuttle (1988 December 2)

Space Shuttle photo (STS027-0032-0071) of Manam on December 2, 1988. The view is to the southeast and a small eruption plume is visible. Papua New Guinea is in the upper right of the photo.

[bd476]

From Volcanologist John Seach:

"November 2004: Large eruption occurred at Manam volcano in November. Ash to an altitude of 60,000 ft, and a plume extending 130 nautical miles from the volcano."

[Truth666]

BREAKING - Earthquake lets St. Helens volcano blow off steam

[bd476]

Tourism is big here - so many sites to see, volcanoes...

From Ecotourism Melanesia’s PAPUA NEW GUINEA VOLCANOES:

"Active Volcanoes:

Mt Matupit, Vulcan, Mt Rabalanakaia - Rabaul, East New Britain Province (vulcanology observatory)

Mt Bagana - Bougainville

Mt Lamington, Oro Province

Mt Pago, West New Britain Province (Mt Pago has been erupting during 2002 and villagers have been evacuated. When the area is safe, there are hot springs, bubbling mud pools and geysers in the Pokili Wildlife Management Area an hour's drive east of Hoskins which can be visited).

Manam Island, Madang Province

Karkar Island, Madang Province"

[Truth666]

Better title now :

Earthquake lets volcanoes blow off steam (Papiua, St. Helens)

[bd476]

Interesting comment about Mt. St. Helen's Volcano.

This 6.1 earthquake today will have probably have much impact upon local people in an area that was devastated by a 7.2 quake on Friday where 17 people were killed.

Did you notice this latest breaking news item about the evacuation in Papua New Guinea due to volcanic activity? There have been two deaths so far related to the Manam Volcano in Papua New Guinea.

Hundreds evacuated - Volcano

[bd476]

[Jemian]

Thanks for your ping. I've been considering the question you asked in the freepmail. This PM I'll write my thoughts.

[oceanperch]

I like those two maps you added. Very easy to read.

I was reading about the tourism too guess right now isn't a good time to book a vacation for scuba diving. : )

[bd476]

Another big quake and now evacuations due to an active, rumbling volcano Ping.

[bd476]

Not a great idea for being underwater anywhere near the Manam Volcano, unless you don't fear a sudden large boulder doing a cannonball in the water. The water temperature might get a bit hot, too.

It does look like a beautiful area, doesn't it? The insect population does well and makes a lot of noise after a rain storm, according to the tourist site.

[bd476]

Hi Truth,

That's an interesting theory and it might make sense if it were at least occasionally reliable.

However, six volcanologists along with three tourists lost their lives in 1993 when they ignored a series of earthquakes while exploring another currently active volcano, the Galeras Volcano in Colombia.

"Galeras volcano erupted in 1993 and killing 6 scientists and 3 tourists.

Tornillo earthquakes were measured prior to the 1993 Galeras eruption but they were not recognized by scientists as eruption precursors." John Seach Volcanologist

* * * * * * * * * *

Volcano World's Record of Volcanologist Killed While Studying Volcanoes

volcano	year	#volcanologists killed
Karkar	1979	2
Unzen	1991	3
Myojin-sho	1952	31
Mutnovsky	1991	1
Kliuchevskoi	1983	1
St. Helens	1980	1
El Chichon	1982	1
Galeras	1993	6
Guagua Pichincha	1993	2
Hekla	1947	1

[Darksheare]

yikes.
Wonder what's up?

[Lijahsbubbe]

I was watching a program the other nite about the 1985 Ruiz volcano, where 25,000 perished. It seems authorities wanted a specific prediction of eruption before evacuating the town. The scientists said that volcanic eruptions are extremely hard to predict. They would need something akin to an MRI of the volcano to see the magma movement in order to say when the volcano would erupt.

Here's an interesting link of the most deadly eruptions.

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/LivingWith/VolcanicFacts/deadly_eruptions.html

[oceanperch]

7.1 Japan Nov. 28
Nov 28, 3:14 PM (ET)
TOKYO (AP) - A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 struck Japan's northern island of Hokkaido early Monday, swaying buildings and triggering a tsunami that lashed the shore, officials said.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or serious damage from the 3:32 a.m. quake or the waves.
Japan's Meteorological Agency quickly issued a tsunami warning for the eastern shores of Hokkaido's Pacific coastal area.
Tsunami are potentially dangerous waves triggered by seismic activity.
The quake was centered off Hokkaido's east coast, about 550 miles northwest of Tokyo, some 30 miles below the sea surface.
The rocking was felt throughout northern Japan, including Hokkaido's largest city, Sapporo.
National broadcaster NHK showed footage of desks rumbling in their offices and convenience store goods thrown from shelves by the force of the quake.
A magnitude 7 earthquake is capable of causing widespread, heavy damage

[RWCon]

Who cares?

[bd476]

Thanks Oceanperch for posting that. I heard this on the Radio news earlier today, apparently there was a tsunami which hit somewhere close to the epicenter but at that point in time, there were no injuries or major damage reported.

[oceanperch]

OMG I cannot imagine the frustration of the volcano experts in trying to make them understand it is not a predictable event.

Bad bad call.

[oceanperch]

Looky an official "Who Cares" poster!
LOL

RWCon must be missing dissing the Scott Peterson Trial thread.

RW Julia Robert had twins today and there is a thread going on it I bet they could use a "Who Cares" poster over there.

[bd476]

Thanks for the link, Lijahsbubbe.

The volcanologists need access to the volcano to set up their equipment. They sometimes are just barely off and safely away from the volcano when it blows up.

An increase in earthquakes is often a sign of the volcanic lava and gasses breaking rock subsurface "finding" a way up to the surface. Mt. St. Helen's blew in 1980 right after a large quake. The quake did not cause it, but it definitely was a big warning. :-)

[bd476]

ROFL! We must really rate to get an Official one.

[lainie]

We get Who Cares posters over on Sunday nights sometimes..they stop by to tell us they're not listening to Drudge.

Hey, BD, did you see the "JAPAN WAITS FOR THE BIG ONE..." story? After all these 6.x quakes, and a 7.1 "knocks out power temporarily to 1,600," they're waiting for the big one. :)

[RightWhale]

There is some activity in the Adriatic as well. Lots of creaking and groaning, or maybe just better reporting.

[bd476]

Ping.

[bd476]

Thanks for chiming in. It is fascinating watching our planet keeps changing.

[bd476]

LOL! One might wonder about the irony in taking the time to register a "not interested" opinion in the subject matter. It sort of reminds me of someone holding their ears saying "I can't hear you, I'm not listening!!"

No, I had not seen that story on the Japanese anticipation of the Big One. Thanks for the link! I thought that most of their quakes were catastrophic. Shudder thinking about a larger one.

[bd476]

Oops, meant to say: "...watching how our planet keeps changing."

[oceanperch]

Easter Island 6.6

4,000 miles from nowhere, literally out in the open ocean.

If you look at the ring of fire and put your finger in the middle of the ring that's about where Easter Island is.

So far this past week quakes have been working clock wise around the Ring of Fire, be interesting to see if it follows around.

Praying for micro quakes US state side if it does.