Big Earthquake and Tsunami 2004 Still Traumatized
Big Earthquake and Tsunami 2004 Still Traumatized
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PIDIE JAYA - Nearly 100 people were killed and hundreds more injured in Indonesia Wednesday when a 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck Pidie Jaya, 80 miles southeast of Banda Aceh in northern Sumatera.
Rescue workers and medical personnel rushed to the epicenter of the quake in Aceh province, where the government reported that 94 people were confirmed dead and more than 500 others had sustained injuries, many serious.
For severely injured numbered 128 (125 Pidie Jaya, Bireuen 3), 489 lightly injured (411 Pidie Jaya, Bireuen 78). Most of the injured were referred to the General Hospital TGK Chik Ditiro Sigli.
The quake struck at a depth of 21 miles at 5:00 am local time, according to the United States Geological Survey. No tsunami warning for Indonesia was immediately issued.
![Big Earthquake and Tsunami 2004 Still Traumatized]()
In 2004 the same region was hit by a 9.1 earthquake lasting for 10 minutes and unleashing the deadliest tsunami in history with waves as high as 98 feet. More than 170,000 people were killed on that day alone in Aceh. The tsunami also killed 35,000 people in Sri Lanka, 18,000 in India and 8,000 in Thailand.
Officials haven't declared a tsunami warning as of press time, but some residents have fled to the hills to find safety. In 2004, an earthquake and tsunami killed more than 227,000 and left millions homeless.
"They are still traumatized by the last big earthquake and tsunami in 2004," said Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman for Indonesia's National Board for Disaster Management (BNPB).
![Big Earthquake and Tsunami 2004 Still Traumatized]()
The earthquake was a shallow tremor, fewer than five miles from the surface, according to readings from the United States Geological Survey. Scientists say the closer an earthquake's epicenter is to the surface of the earth, the more damage it unleashes. Shockwaves from deep earthquakes can be felt more widely, but often do much less damage because they lose energy as they travel to the surface.
The Dec.7 earthquake is the second major quake to hit Indonesia this year. In March, a deep 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast, but no injuries were reported.
Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where tectonic plates collide.
In June, a 6.5 magnitude quake struck off the west of Sumatra damaging scores of buildings and injuring eight people.
Rescue workers and medical personnel rushed to the epicenter of the quake in Aceh province, where the government reported that 94 people were confirmed dead and more than 500 others had sustained injuries, many serious.
For severely injured numbered 128 (125 Pidie Jaya, Bireuen 3), 489 lightly injured (411 Pidie Jaya, Bireuen 78). Most of the injured were referred to the General Hospital TGK Chik Ditiro Sigli.
The quake struck at a depth of 21 miles at 5:00 am local time, according to the United States Geological Survey. No tsunami warning for Indonesia was immediately issued.
In 2004 the same region was hit by a 9.1 earthquake lasting for 10 minutes and unleashing the deadliest tsunami in history with waves as high as 98 feet. More than 170,000 people were killed on that day alone in Aceh. The tsunami also killed 35,000 people in Sri Lanka, 18,000 in India and 8,000 in Thailand.
Officials haven't declared a tsunami warning as of press time, but some residents have fled to the hills to find safety. In 2004, an earthquake and tsunami killed more than 227,000 and left millions homeless.
"They are still traumatized by the last big earthquake and tsunami in 2004," said Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman for Indonesia's National Board for Disaster Management (BNPB).
The earthquake was a shallow tremor, fewer than five miles from the surface, according to readings from the United States Geological Survey. Scientists say the closer an earthquake's epicenter is to the surface of the earth, the more damage it unleashes. Shockwaves from deep earthquakes can be felt more widely, but often do much less damage because they lose energy as they travel to the surface.
The Dec.7 earthquake is the second major quake to hit Indonesia this year. In March, a deep 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast, but no injuries were reported.
Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where tectonic plates collide.
In June, a 6.5 magnitude quake struck off the west of Sumatra damaging scores of buildings and injuring eight people.
(rnz)
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