Categories: EconomyTechnology

Indonesia’s Surprise Tsunami, Explained

Scientists were surprised by the ensuing tsunami, which resulted in conflicting warning messages. But experts suggest that the area’s unique geology could be to blame for the unusual progression of the disaster. On Friday, a powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake shook the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, just after 5:02 PM Western Indonesian Time.

The earthquake followed a series of temblors that began around 2:00 PM WIB with a 6.1-magnitude quake. That event not only destroyed dozens of houses but resulted in one death and at least 10 injuries, according to Reuters. The ground continued to roil with 27 aftershocks that eventually gave way to the intense, shallow 7.5-magnitude temblor centered about 6 miles deep, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Since then, 31 aftershocks have gripped the island, according to CNN Indonesia.

Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG) initially issued a tsunami warning but soon retracted it based on analyses at the time. However, monstrous waves soon began crashing on shore, captured in videos that quickly began circulating on social media. One particular video seems to be recorded from the upper floors of the circular parking structure at the Palu Grand Mall, showing waves rushing in below. It cuts off as the crowd starts to run, seeking safety from the wall of water.

 

Tsunamis typically are the result of the abrupt motion of large submarine earthquakes at tectonic plate boundaries. And earthquakes are not uncommonin Indonesia; the island chain sits within what’s known as the Ring of Fire, a curving horseshoe-shaped chain of tectonic plate boundaries that hugs the Pacific basin. It is home to around 90 percent of the world’s earthquakes. But the monster waves were unexpected for this particular quake. Click here for more story nationalgeographic.com

 

.

Recent Posts

Sonia Raman, Pelatih WNBA Pertama Berdarah India

Sonia Raman mencatat sejarah baru sebagai pelatih kepala pertama keturunan India di liga bola basket…

2 weeks ago

Wali Kota Baru New York: Zohran Mamdani

Politisi progresif Zohran Mamdani mencetak sejarah sebagai Wali Kota New York pertama yang berdarah Asia…

3 weeks ago

Tiga Penangkapan ICE Guncang Komunitas Indonesia di Philadelphia

Tiga kasus penangkapan yang dilakukan oleh lembaga imigrasi Amerika Serikat (ICE) dalam beberapa bulan terakhir…

4 weeks ago

Dialog Pemerintah RI dengan WNI dan Diaspora di Philadelphia

Masyarakat Indonesia di Philadelphia menghadiri pertemuan bersama pejabat pemerintah Republik Indonesia yang digelar di PAX…

1 month ago

Imam Prasodjo dan Ikhtiar Menjaga DAS Serayu

Di tengah kabut Telaga Dringo, Dieng, Imam Budidarmawan Prasodjo (65) tampak bersemangat menanam pohon bersama…

2 months ago

Riyan Pondaga Persembahkan Konser Bersama Modero & Company

Modero & Company mempersembahkan Wonderworks, seri acara komunitas perdana yang dibuka dengan konser intim bertajuk…

2 months ago