Strong and shallow M6.1 earthquake hits northern Papua, Indonesia

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A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit northern Papua, Indonesia at 01:05 UTC (10:05 local time) on June 24, 2019. The agency is reporting a depth of 22 km (13.6 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 30 km (18.6 miles). 

The epicenter was located 239 km (149 miles) W of Abepura and 250 km (155 miles) W of Jayapura.

There are 190 000 people living within 100 km (62 miles).

5 000 people are estimated to have felt strong shaking, 17 000 moderate and 229 000 light.

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

Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are unreinforced brick with concrete floor and precast concrete frame with wall construction.

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

7 aftershocks were registered over the next 2 hours – M4.7 to 5.3.

Image credit: Google, TW/SAM

Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking

Selected cities exposed

Regional seismicity

Featured image credit: Google, TW/SAM

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