User:Quake1234/sandbox5
 | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. |
| UTC time | 2024-04-28 20:58:53 |
|---|---|
| Local date | 29 April 2024 |
| Local time | 06:58 (UTC+10) |
| Magnitude | 6.8 Ms 6.6 Mw |
| Depth | 12.0 km (7 mi) |
| Epicenter | 6°30′18″S 143°15′18″E / 6.505°S 143.255°E |
| Type | Thrust |
| Areas affected | Highlands Province, Papua |
| Max. intensity | MMI IX (Violent) |
| Aftershocks | Mw 6.0 |
On 28 April 2024, a Ms 6.8 earthquake hit 4 km (2.5 mi) south-southeast of Kutubu, Highlands Province, Papua at 20:58 UTC (06:58 PGT on 29 April).[1]
Tectonic setting
The earthquake occurred in a tectonically complex region where the Australian Plate moves east-north-east-wards relative to the Pacific Plate. It moves at a velocity of about 100 mm (4 in) a year. Earthquakes in this region are generally associated with the large-scale convergence of these two major plates and with the complex interactions of several associated microplates, most notably the South Bismarck Plate, the Solomon Sea microplate, and the Woodlark Plate.[2]
The earthquake struck deep beneath the Finisterre Range,[3] a large mountain range mainly consisting of volcaniclastics and volcanic strata that were uplifted 3.7 million years ago. The mountain range is prone to landslides caused by rain and earthquakes. In 1993, a series of highly destructive earthquakes struck the range.[4]
Papua is one of the most seismically active areas in the world. It is estimated that several hundred earthquakes of magnitude five or greater occur each year in the country. The seismic vulnerability of Papua was recognized in 1932 following the development of hazard maps. However, these maps often underestimated the true level of danger. Buildings built from 1977-2001 can withstand earthquakes of up to MMI VIII, while older structures are at a higher risk, and buildings built after 2001 can withstand MMI X or higher.[5] Highlands, Gulf, Fly, Moresby, Milne Bay and Oro provinces are particularly vulnerable due to the higher population densities and lower-quality building materials used in construction.[6]
Earthquakes
The United States Geological Survey reported a magnitude of Mw 6.4 while the PGA reported Ms 6.5.[7][8] had an epicenter 19 km (12 mi) south-southwest of Karimui.[9]
Intensity
| Intensity | Province | Location(s) | Population exposure |
|---|---|---|---|
| MMI IX | Highlands | Kutubu | 656k |
| MMI VIII | Highlands | 839k | |
| MMI VII | Highlands | Orokama | 490k |
| MMI VI | Highlands | Nipa, Mount Bosavi | 2,823k |
| MMI V | Highlands | Mendi, Magarima, Ialibu, Komo | 9,292k |
Response
President James Marape sent 3,400 rescue troops to Kutubu to assist in relief operations.[11]
Warnings
One day prior to the earthquakes, the PGA had finished installing over 16,200 seismic sensors across Papua.[12]
The Earthquake Early Warning system issued a warning at 06:58:55 local time; 2.1 seconds after the initial detection of seismic waves from the mainshock. The earthquake was first detected 1.6 seconds after it had occurred, and was given a seismic intensity of MMI IV. The early warning came 6.6 seconds later when instruments recorded an intensity of MMI V. Another warning was issued for a seismic intensity of MMI VII.[13] An estimated 14.1 million people were in the warning zone at the time of the earthquake.[14]