2010 Papua earthquake


The 2010 Papua earthquake occurred on June 16 at 12:16 local time in Papua province of Indonesia. The magnitude 7.0 mainshock was preceded by an 6.2 foreshock 10 minutes earlier, and was followed 42 minutes later by an 6.6 aftershock.

Geology

This part of Indonesia is an area of complex tectonics. The epicenter of the earthquake lies close to the boundary between two proposed microplates, the Bird's Head and Maoke microplates. The motion along this boundary has been modelled as about 80 mm/year sinistral strike-slip. The computed focal mechanism is consistent either with movement on this boundary or on a dextral strike-slip structure conjugate to it.

Damage

The earthquake destroyed nine villages, namely Aiyari, Randawaya, Hamtimoi, Karowaiti, Waita, Waridoni, Tare, Larelahiti and Wabudayar, and killed 17 people. More than 2,500 houses were destroyed. While Mercalli intensities of VI affected the island of Biak, intensities of more than VII affected Serui and on the neighbouring coast of the mainland. Many buildings were damaged on Yapen Island.