2007 Solomon Islands earthquake

earthquake
title= 2007 Solomon Islands earthquake/tsunami
date= April 2, 2007




magnitude = 8.1 M_w
countries affected = flagcountry|Solomon Islands, flagcountry|Papua New Guinea
casualties = 52

The 2007 Solomon Islands earthquake took place on April 2, 2007, near the island of Gizo, in the Solomon Islands. Its magnitude was calculated by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) as being at 8.1 on the moment magnitude scale.

According to the USGS, the earthquake was recorded around 7:39:56 a.m. local time (UTC+11). The focus was 10 km (6 mi) deep and 40 km (25 mi) South South-East of Gizo township on New Georgia Islands in Western Province. [Cite web |url=http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/eqinthenews/2007/us2007aqbk/ |title=Magnitude 8.1 - SOLOMON ISLANDS |publisher=USGS |work=USGS Earthquake Hazards Program |accessdate=2007-04-02] Since the first earthquake there have been numerous aftershocks, the largest of which had a magnitude of 6.2.

Effects

At least fifty-two people are reported to have been killed and sixty reported missing when a tsunami triggered by the earthquake struck the Solomon Islands, wiping out thirteen or more villages. [ [http://en.rian.ru/world/20070416/63708725.html Tsunami death toll on Solomon Islands reaches 52] , RIA Novosti, Apr. 16, 2007] [cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21492663-2,00.html|title=Report: Tsunami leaves thousands homeless in the hills|publisher=News Limited|date=2007-04-02|accessdate=2007-04-03] Thousands were left homeless, and damages are estimated in millions. Rescuers are trying to reach other islands, and the reported death toll is thus expected to rise. In South Choiseul, waves 10 meters high swept away villages, gardens and a hospital. [cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21489658-1702,00.html|title=Report: Death toll in Solomons at 15|publisher=News Limited|date=2007-04-02|accessdate=2007-04-02] About 900 homes were destroyed and 5000 people left homeless. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6520461.stm|title=Report: Solomons tsunami aid stepped up|publisher=BBC News|date=2007-04-02|accessdate=2007-04-02]

The tsunami reached Papua New Guinea, with a family of five reportedly missing from a remote island in Milne Bay Province, which was in the tsunami's path. [cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21497866-2,00.html|title=Houses float in sea of devastation|publisher=News limited|date=2007-04-02|accessdate=2007-04-02]

Aid workers have reported that an outbreak of diarrhea has emerged among the survivors. [ [http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SYD211460.htm Disease breaking out after Solomon Islands quake] , Reuters, Apr. 5, 2007] However, the UN reported that the outbreak and other diseases are under control as of April 12. [ [http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/SHES-727MMM?OpenDocument Communicable diseases under control in Solomon Islands] , ReliefWeb, Apr. 12, 2007] More recently, a measles outbreak was reported but an immunization program is underway. [ [http://english.people.com.cn/200704/18/eng20070418_367540.html Measles immunization campaign begins in Solomon Islands] , People's Daily Online, Apr. 18, 2007]

The island of Ranongga in the New Georgia Group was lifted three meters by the earthquake, causing its beaches to shift outwards of up to 70 meters. [cite news |first= Neil |last= Sands |title= Quake lifts Solomons island out of the sea |url= http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070407/sc_afp/solomonsquakeisland|work= Yahoo! News |publisher= Yahoo! Inc. |date= |accessdate=2007-04-09 ] Large coral reefs in the area are now largely above the surface and local fishermen are worried that the fishing grounds have been destroyed. [cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1089455 |title=Quake lifts Solomons island metres from the sea |publisher=Daily News & Analysis |date=2007-04-07 |accessdate=2007-04-07] However, Australian scientists said the exposure of the reefs are a normal part of island building and that careful wildlife management can preserve the reefs that remain. [ [http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2007/04/14/2003356594 Indonesian coral reef exposed by 2005 earthquake] , Associated Press, Apr. 14, 2007]

Response

Warnings

A tsunami warning was issued for the South Pacific Ocean, and advisories issued for Japan and Hawaii. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a warning for Australia's eastern coast, from Queensland's Barrier Reef to Tasmania, and beaches along the coast were closed, while many evacuated to higher ground. [cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21488375-2,00.html|title=Deadly tsunami strikes Solomons|publisher=News Limited|date=2007-04-02|accessdate=2007-04-02] [cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21488959-1702,00.html|title=Towns evacuated amid tsunami panic|publisher=News Limited|date=2007-04-02|accessdate=2007-04-02] However, as the epicenter was close to the Solomon Islands, the tsunami hit before the Hawaiian Pacific Tsunami Warning Center released the warning. [cite web |url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9293448 |title=Tsunami Moved Too Quickly for Warning System |accessdate=2007-04-03 |date=2 April 2007 |author=Christopher Joyce |publisher=National Public Radio ]

High-magnitude ocean waves propagate at high speeds close to 25 meters per second, which meant that they traversed the 55-kilometer distance from the epicenter to Gavo in less than 20 minutes. Fortunately, the S-waves from the earthquake shook the ground and alerted the population, allowing many to flee to high ground before the wave struck.

Aid response

Australia has offered AU$2 million in aid, while New Zealand has offered NZ$500,000 and sent supplies in an air force plane. [cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21497866-2,00.html|title=Houses float in sea of devastation|publisher=News limited|date=2007-04-02|accessdate=2007-04-02] The United States has so far contributed US$250,000 in aid. [ [http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2007&m=April&x=20070404170443lcnirellep0.1676905 United States Pledges Assistance After Solomon Islands Tsunami] , United States Department of State, Apr. 4, 2007] Taiwan has contributed US$214,000 and shipment of 1,000 kg of rice. [ [http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/YZHG-6ZYRBW Solomon Islands: Taiwan boosts assistance to tsunami victims] , ReliefWeb, Apr. 5, 2007] France has also airlifted supplies via New Caledonia. [ [http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=nation_world&id=5188755 Solomon Islands Tsunami Aid Effort Gathers Pace] , Associated Press via ABC/KGO-TV, Apr. 6, 2007] The United Nations has established a field hospital in Gizo, with a total of eight planned for the entire country, and has also established three camps for internally displaced persons. [ [http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=22129 Solomon Islands: UN aid workers start recovery efforts after tsunami] , United Nations, Apr. 4, 2007] Australian and Canadian medical teams have also been deployed across the islands. [ [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21524833-601,00.html Tsunami relief bolstered for disease crisis] , The Australian, Apr. 9, 2007] Papua New Guinea, itself affected by the tsunami, has contributed US$340,000 and a light plane that can better access smaller, more remote airstrips. [ [http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/s1894629.htm PNG joins in sending aid to Solomons] , Radio Australia, Apr. 11, 2007] UNICEF has issued an appeal for US$500,000 for both the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. [ [http://www.unicef.org/media/media_39300.html UNICEF: Urgent appeal for funds for hard hit Solomon Islands] , UNICEF, Apr. 4, 2007] Separately, the Red Cross has issued an appeal for US$800,000. [ [http://voanews.com/english/2007-04-06-voa29.cfm International Response to Solomon Islands Tsunami Victims Gathers Momentum] , Voice of America News, Apr. 6, 2007] The remoteness of some villages meant that aid did not reach them until several days after the tsunami occurred. [ [http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SYD74226.htm Aid still days away for Solomons homeless] , Reuters, Apr. 4, 2007] However, the Associated Press has reported that Gizo's airport has reopened, easing the delivery of supplies. [ [http://www.wstm.com/Global/story.asp?S=6334518 More aid supplies are starting to reach Solomon Islands tsunami victims] , Associated Press via WSTM-TV, Apr. 6, 2007] A Taiwanese fishing boat ran aground on coral reefs while delivering supplies, but it was successfully evacuated by a United States Navy helicopter. [ [http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21549469-5005961,00.html Shipwrecked aid workers rescued] , Melbourne Herald Sun, Apr. 13, 2007] The boat's crew managed to free the vessel from the rocks a few days later. [ [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/04/14/asia/AS-GEN-Solomon-Islands-Rescue.php Taiwanese tsunami aid ship in Solomon Islands freed from reef where it ran aground] , Associated Press, Apr. 14, 2007]

Aftermath

Francis Billy Hilly; the MP for Simbo Island where 11 people died, said that those who had previously resisted resettlement away from the island's active volcano are now reconsidering their options. [ [http://blayney.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?story_id=573556 Shift Simbo tsunami victims: Solomons MP] , Australian Associated Press, Apr. 8, 2007] The national government may also relocate islanders away from low-lying areas pending a review of long-term rehabilitation and disaster preparedness plans. [ [http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/solomons-pm-seeks-tsunami-assistance/20073416-7pz.html Solomons PM seeks tsunami assistance] , Australian Associated Press, Apr. 16, 2007] Many Solomon Islander Christians celebrated Easter in whichever way they could, and at least seven babies were born since the tsunami hit. [ [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=301&objectid=10433247 Churchgoers believe tsunami was a warning from God] , New Zealand Herald, Apr. 9, 2007] The Australian government announced that a network of five tsunami warning buoys will be deployed along its Pacific coast, with two buoys stationed in the Papua New Guinea/Solomon Islands area. [ [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21548361-30417,00.html Tsunami beacon to protect coast] , The Australian, Apr. 13, 2007]

Tectonic summary

The earthquake occurred along the boundary of the Pacific plate with, respectively, the Australia, Woodlark, and Solomon Sea plates.Cite web |url=http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/eqinthenews/2007/us2007aqbk/ |title=Magnitude 8.1 - SOLOMON ISLANDS - Summary |publisher=USGS |work=USGS Earthquake Hazards Program |accessdate=2007-04-02] The latter three plates converge to the east-northeast or northeast against the Pacific plate with velocities of 90–105 millimetres/year. Along much of the plate boundary between the Pacific plate and the Australia/Woodlark/Solomon Sea plates, relative plate-motion is accomplished principally by subduction of the Australia/Woodlark/Solomon Sea plates beneath the Pacific plate. The April 2 earthquake's location and focal mechanism are consistent with the earthquake having occurred as underthrusting of the Australia/Woodlark/Solomon Sea plate beneath the Pacific plate, as part of the broader northeast-directed subduction process.

The Solomon Islands arc as a whole experiences a very high level of earthquake activity, and many shocks of magnitude 7 and larger have been recorded since the early decades of the twentieth century. The April 2 earthquake, however, nucleated in a 250 kilometre-long segment of the arc that had produced no shocks of magnitude 7 or larger since the early 20th century.

References

External links

* [http://www.jsg.utexas.edu/news/feats/2007/rapid_response.html Rapid Response Mission Helps Assess Earthquake Risk in South Pacific] JSG Online, Dec. 7, 2007
* [http://www.stuff.co.nz/4013314a12.html Stuff.co.nz:Tsunami fears after massive Solomons quake]
* [http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070401/D8O846L00.html Associated Press: Tsunami hits Solomons]
* [http://www.bom.gov.au/tsunami/ Australian Bureau of Meteorology Tsunami Warnings summary]
* [http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/closevu209039-08.gifNOAA - Solomon Islands - Historic Quakes]
* [http://www.alertnet.org/thefacts/satelliteimages/UNOSAT/9f8a371121cd94916847005583e169ba.htm Reuters - Solom Islands Tsunami Damage]
* [http://unosat.web.cern.ch/unosat/freeproducts/solomon_islands/UNOSAT_Solomon_EQ_elevation_lowres_v1.0.jpgUNOSAT - Potential Tsunami Affected Areas]
* [http://www.pmc.gov.sb/ Solomon Islands Government]