Massive 7.6 Quake Hits Papua New Guinea

Massive M7.6 earthquake hits Papua New Guinea, hazardous tsunami waves possible

A very strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M7.6 hit eastern New Guinea, Papua New Guinea at 23:46 UTC on September 10, 2022. The agency is reporting a depth of 61.4 km (38 miles). EMSC is reporting M7.6 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).

The epicenter was located 65.6 km (40.8 miles) WNW of Lae (population 76 255) and 90.8 km (56.4 miles) N of Bulolo (population 16 042), Morobe, Papua New Guinea.

Based on the preliminary earthquake parameters, hazardous tsunami waves are possible for coasts within 1 000 km (620 miles) of the earthquake epicenter, PTWC said.

180 000 people are estimated to have felt severe shaking, 839 000 very strong and 824 000 strong.

The USGS issued a Yellow alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. Some casualties and damage are possible and the impact should be relatively localized. Past yellow alerts have required a local or regional level response.

Estimated economic losses are less than 1% of GDP of Papua New Guinea.

Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are a mix of vulnerable and earthquake resistant construction. The predominant vulnerable building types are informal (metal, timber, GI etc.) and unreinforced brick masonry construction.

Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as tsunamis, landslides and liquefaction that might have contributed to losses.

Shallow M6.0 earthquake hits Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra, Indonesia

A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit the Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra, Indonesia at 23:10 UTC on September 10, 2022. The agency is reporting a depth of 20 km (12.4 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.1 at the same depth.

The epicenter was located 175.8 km (109.2 miles) WSW of Pariaman (population 92 183) and 193.6 km (120.3 miles) W of Padang (population 840 352), West Sumatra, Indonesia.

3 000 people are estimated to have felt strong shaking and 13 000 moderate.

There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.

The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.