Why Was Indonesia’s Recent Earthquake So Deadly?

Why Was Indonesia’s Recent Earthquake So Deadly?

A 5.6-strong earthquake struck Indonesia's Java island on Monday, leaving more than 260 people dead and hundreds injured.

While earthquakes are common across Indonesia, the latest one caused more deaths and injuries than others of similar intensity¹. The quake also caused more damage to buildings and other structures.

Experts say there are several reasons why this earthquake was different.

Was the earthquake considered "strong"?

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake measured 5.6 magnitude and struck at a depth of 10 kilometers.

Quakes of this size usually do not cause widespread damage to well-built structures. But officials have noted² that in general, "There is not one magnitude above which damage will occur."

They say the amount of death and destruction depends on several other variables. These include how far something is from the center of the earthquake, what kind of soil is around and the build quality of structures.

Numerous structures were damaged by the latest earthquake, including Islamic schools, a hospital and other public buildings. Roads and bridges were also damaged and areas surrounding the center of the quake experienced power outages.

Why did the earthquake cause so much damage?

Experts say one variable of the latest quake was that the worst affected³ areas were close to existing fault lines. A fault is a place with a long break in the rock that forms the surface of the earth. When an earthquake happens on one of these faults, the rock on one side of the fault slips with respect to the other.

In addition, the latest quake caused more destruction because of its depth and the fact that many structures in the area were not built with earthquake-proof methods.

"Even though the earthquake was medium-sized, it (was) close to the surface ... and located inland, close to where people live," said Gayatri Marliyani. She is a geology professor at Universitas Gadjah Mada, in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Marliyani told The Associated Press, "The energy was still large enough to cause significant shaking that led to damage."

Experts say the area hit in West Java likely has the most inland faults than any other part of the island.

Many buildings in the area are also not built with quake-proof designs, said Danny Hilman Natawidjaja. He is an earthquake expert at Indonesia's Research Center for Geotechnology.

"This makes a quake of this size and depth even more destructive," he told the AP.

How common are these kinds of earthquakes in Indonesia?

Indonesia, a country of more than 270 million people, is often struck by earthquakes, volcanic⁴ explosions and large ocean waves known as tsunamis⁶. This is because the country sits within the so-called "Pacific Ring of Fire," a collection of volcanoes and fault lines. The area covers some 40,000 kilometers and is where a majority of the world's earthquakes strike.

Many of Indonesia's earthquakes are minor⁷ and cause little to no damage. But there have also been deadly earthquakes.

In February, a magnitude 6.2 earthquake killed at least 25 people and injured more than 460 in West Sumatra province. In January 2021, a magnitude 6.2 earthquake killed more than 100 people and injured nearly 6,500 in West Sulawesi province.

And in 2004, a 9.1 magnitude earthquake off Sumatra island in northern Indonesia set off a huge tsunami⁵ that struck 14 countries. The disaster killed 230,000 people along the Indian Ocean coastline, more than half of whom lived in Indonesia.

Words in This Story

magnitude – n. the large size or importance of something

variable – n. an amount or situation that can change

1 intensity   

n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度

参考例句：

• I didn't realize the intensity of people's feelings on this issue.我没有意识到这一问题能引起群情激奋。
• The strike is growing in intensity.罢工日益加剧。

2 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

3 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

4 volcanic   

adj.火山的；象火山的；由火山引起的

参考例句：

• There have been several volcanic eruptions this year.今年火山爆发了好几次。
• Volcanic activity has created thermal springs and boiling mud pools.火山活动产生了温泉和沸腾的泥浆池。

5 tsunami   

n.海啸

参考例句：

• Powerful quake sparks tsunami warning in Japan.大地震触发了日本的海啸预警。
• Coastlines all around the Indian Ocean inundated by a huge tsunami.大海啸把印度洋沿岸地区都淹没了。

6 tsunamis   

n.海啸( tsunami的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Our oceans are alive with earthquakes, volcanoes, and more recently, tsunamis. 海中充满着地震、火山，包括最近发生的海啸。 来自常春藤生活英语杂志-2006年2月号
• Please tell me something more about tsunamis! 请您给我讲讲海啸吧！ 来自辞典例句

7 minor   

adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修

参考例句：

• The young actor was given a minor part in the new play.年轻的男演员在这出新戏里被分派担任一个小角色。
• I gave him a minor share of my wealth.我把小部分财产给了他。