Magnitude 7.6 NEAR THE NORTH COAST OF PAPUA, INDONESIA
Saturday, January 03, 2009 at 19:43:50 UTC
News Release
The following is a release by the United States Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center: An earthquake occurred IN PAPUA, INDONESIA, about 150 km (95 miles) west northwest of Manokwari, Indonesia or about 1335 km (830 miles) north of Darwin, Australia at 12:43 PM MST, Jan 3, 2009 (Jan 04 at 4:43 AM local time in eastern Indonesia). The magnitude and location may be revised when additional data and further analysis results are available. No reports of damage or casualties have been received at this time; however, this earthquake may have caused damage due to its location and size. Earthquakes of this size sometimes cause tsunamis, however the USGS has no information that an actual tsunami has been generated. For information about tsunamis, contact the NOAA Tsunami Warning Centers at http://tsunami.gov.
At least four people killed at Manokwari and one killed at Sorong. At least 250 people injured, 840 buildings damaged and power outages in West Papua. Felt (VI) at Manokwari and Sorong; (IV) at Nabire and Ransiki.
Preliminary Earthquake Report
U.S. Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center
World Data Center for Seismology, Denver
