2009 West Java earthquake

The 2009 West Java earthquake occurred on September 2 at 14:55:01 local time in West Java, Indonesia.[1] The magnitude 7.0 earthquake killed at least 79 people, injured over 1,250, and displaced over 210,000 (including more than 140,000 in Tasikmalaya regency).[2] The quake was felt in the capital Jakarta, although damage there was minimal, and it was Indonesia's deadliest earthquake since the 2006 Pangandaran earthquake and tsunami.[3]

2009 West Java earthquake
UTC time2009-09-02 07:55:01
ISC event15161670
USGS-ANSSComCat
Local date2 September 2009
Local time14:55:01 WIB
Magnitude7.0 Mw[1]
Depth49 km (30 mi)
Epicenteroff SW coast of Java,
south of Bandung
7.778°S 107.328°E / -7.778; 107.328
Areas affectedIndonesia
West Java
Max. intensityVII (Very strong)
Tsunami20 cm
Casualties79 dead
1,250 injured
210,000 displaced

Cause

The earthquake's focus lies close to the major fault plane where the Indo-Australian Plate is being subducted beneath the Eurasian Plate. However, the focal mechanisms determined for this event shows reverse faulting at a high angle to the trend of the subduction zone and it has been suggested that the cause was deformation within the descending slab.[1]

Another earthquake in the same subduction zone occurred only 5 days later in the ocean south of Yogyakarta. This newer quake (magnitude 6.2)[4] is considered to be related to the West Java earthquake.[5]

Damage

Buildings in Bandung and Tasikmalaya, the town closest to the epicenter, were damaged, and hundreds of people were injured.[6] An estimated 18,300 homes and offices were earlier thought to have been damaged. This figure later rose to 87,000.

The quake was felt in Jakarta, Indonesia's capital;[7] causing evacuation in many office buildings and hotels. Several office buildings along major thoroughfares in Central Jakarta suffered damage.

At least 11 houses were covered by a landslide in Cianjur.[8]

Around 37 inhabitants, including 13 children, of Cikangkareng were affected by a landslide caused by the quake and are thought to have been buried beneath rubble.[9] The area has become a breeding ground for voyeurs who are flocking to the area to take photographs of the destruction and victims.[10]

At least one hospital was destroyed by the quake.[11]

Victims

Confirmed death tolls by area were issued by The Jakarta Post on 4 September.[12]

Area Total
Cianjur 21[12]
Garut 10[12]
Tasikmalaya 9[12]
Bandung 8[12]
Ciamis At least 1[12]
Sukabumi At least 1[12]
Bogor At least 1[12]
West Bandung At least 1[8]

The Bandung Health Agency says nearby victims of the quake will be eligible for free medical treatment for at least a month.[13] Rescuers have been equipped with machinery but are struggling.[14] 34 doctors and 52 paramedics were sent to at least 12 districts.[13]

More than 25,000 affected people were housed in makeshift tents.[11]

A group of 30 volunteers comprising Malaysian medical students from several universities in Indonesia, headed by Malaysian Students Department director in Indonesia Dr Junaidi Abu Bakar were deployed to provide assistance. They provided food and clothing as well as meals for the breaking of fast.[15]

See also

References
  1. ANSS, "Java 2009: M 7.0 - Java, Indonesia", Comprehensive Catalog, U.S. Geological Survey, retrieved 2 October 2018
  2. "Korban Tewas Akibat Gempa Sudah 79 Orang" Kompas newspaper, Sept 8, 2009
  3. "Indonesian Quake Death Toll Reaches 64 as Rescue Work Continues". Bloomberg. 2009-09-04. Retrieved 2009-09-04.
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-09-10. Retrieved 2009-09-10.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-09-11. Retrieved 2009-09-10.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. Staff (September 2, 2009) "Strong earthquake strikes Indonesia's Java island". The China Post.
  7. "Deadly earthquake hits Indonesia". BBC News. September 2, 2009. Archived from the original on 2 September 2009. Retrieved 2 September 2009.
  8. "Search on for trapped Indonesians". CNN. September 4, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-04.
  9. CBC News (September 4, 2009). "Indonesian quake death toll rises to 63". CBC. Retrieved 2009-09-04.
  10. Asprihanto, Heru (September 4, 2009). "Indonesia quake landslide attracts voyeurs". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2009-09-04.
  11. "Over 25, 000 Indonesian quake-affected people live in makeshift tents". Xinhua News Agency. September 4, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-04.
  12. Erwida Maulia (September 4, 2009). "Aftershock and aid follow earthquake". The Jakarta Post. Archived from the original on 5 September 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-04.
  13. "Bandung Health agency provides free medical treatment for Java quake victims". The Jakarta Post. 2009-09-04. Archived from the original on 2009-09-05. Retrieved 2009-09-04.
  14. "Death toll of Indonesia's quake reaches to 63". Xinhua News Agency. September 4, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-04.
  15. "Malaysian medical students help in Indonesian quake". Archived from the original on 2012-10-10. Retrieved 2013-05-12.
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