What grave danger is Indonesia heading towards? 1,440 earthquakes in 30 days raise alarm
Indonesia Earthquakes: Strong earthquakes were felt in Aceh province on Indonesia's Sumatra Island on Thursday morning. The magnitude measured 6.3 on the Richter scale, which is considered a dangerous earthquake.
Tremors of this magnitude have the potential to cause widespread damage, although it is a matter of relief that no major damage or casualties have been confirmed so far. Immediately after the tremors, panic spread in the area for some time, and people rushed out of their homes.
Cyclone Senyar has wreaked havoc in North Sumatra
Indonesia is currently facing a double whammy of natural disasters. On one hand, floods and landslides caused by Cyclone Senyar have wreaked havoc in North Sumatra, killing at least 25 people so far. On the other hand, frequent earthquakes are further increasing the challenges for relief workers and administration. Relief work is becoming difficult in already flood-affected areas, while the continuous tremors have further increased people's anxiety.
Increased tectonic activity
According to data from the USGS and Volcanodiscovery, more than 1,440 earthquakes have been recorded in Indonesia in the past 30 days, many of which had magnitudes up to 6.4. Of these, nearly 250 were of magnitudes greater than 4.5, highlighting the severity of the situation. Over the past six months, the country has experienced more than 2,300 earthquakes of magnitude 4.0+, indicating increased tectonic activity.
Indonesia is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire
Indonesia is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world's most seismic zones, accounting for 90% of the world's earthquakes. Sumatra is located above the Sunda Megathrust, where the Indo-Australian tectonic plate subducts beneath the Eurasian plate at a rate of 5-7 centimeters per year. This process creates constant pressure, which is periodically released in the form of earthquakes.
The Ring of Fire is a horseshoe-shaped geological zone that surrounds the Pacific Ocean. Underwater earthquakes here sometimes trigger tsunamis. However, this recent earthquake in Sumatra has not been reported to pose a tsunami threat.
2.3 lakh people were killed in 2004
Sumatra is the same region where a massive 9.1 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami in 2004 killed approximately 2.3 lakh people. This is why every major earthquake instills fear in the region.
While the recent earthquakes have not caused any major damage, the ever-increasing seismic activity has disturbed everyone, from ordinary people to experts.