May 2006 Java earthquake

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May 2006 Java earthquake
Image:Jakarta Earthquake Epicenter.gif
Date	27 May, 2006
Magnitude	6.2 M_w
Countries affected	Indonesia
Casualties	5,782 dead 36,000+ injured [1]

The May 2006 Java earthquake occurred at 05:54 local time on 27 May 2006 (22:54 GMT 26 May), in the Indian Ocean around 25 km (15 miles) south-southwest of the Indonesian city of Yogyakarta, near Galur, on the southern side of the island of Java (8.007° S 110.286° E), 17.1 km below the seabed, according to the U.S. Geological Survey; Jakarta's Meteorology and Geophysics Agency determined the hypocentre to be about 37 km south of Yogyakarta, 33 km below the seabed. The earthquake had a magnitude of 6.3. <ref>USGS preliminary report. </ref> Two aftershocks, measured at 4.8 and 4.6, occurred between 4 and 6 hours later.

1 Casualties
2 Origin
3 Response
4 Media response
5 Reconstruction
6 See also
7 References
8 External links

[edit] Casualties

Image:Klaten collapsed houses.jpg

According to the latest news, there have been 6,234 deaths, while 36,299 people have been injured, 135,000 houses damaged, and an estimated 1.5 million left homeless<ref>"Indonesia lowers quake death toll", CNN, 2006-06-06. Retrieved on 2006-06-06.</ref>. 3,580 of those deaths and more than 1,892 injuries occurred in the area of Bantul, while 1,668 others died in Klaten district.<ref>"Indonesia quake death toll passes 5,800", Forbes, 2006-05-31. Retrieved on 2006-05-31.</ref> Around five million people live within 50 km of the epicentre.<ref name="gdacs">Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (HTML). European Commission DG JRC (2006-05-27).</ref>

Coastal residents fled inland in fear of a tsunami, but such an event did not transpire. Borobudur, an ancient Buddhist stupa well north of the earthquake area, apparently survived completely intact,<ref name="swissinfo">Sukarsono, Achmad. "Indonesian quake kills thousands", 2006-05-27. Retrieved on 2006-05-27.</ref> but the Hindu temple at Prambanan which, being located on the city outskirts, is significantly closer to the main earthquake area, suffered substantial damage and was closed for assessment.<ref name="BBCRace">"Race against time in Java quake", BBC News, 2006-05-29. Retrieved on 2006-05-29.</ref><ref name="SMHtempledamage">Sebastien Berger. "An ancient wonder reduced to rubble", The Sydney Morning Herald, 2006-05-30. Retrieved on 2006-05-30.</ref><ref name="detikcomtempledamage">"Candi Prambanan Kena Gempa", detikcom, 2006-05-27. Retrieved on 2006-05-30. (Indonesian)</ref> The Royal Graveyard of Imogiri, just east of Bantul, was extensively damaged and has been closed to public access.

[edit] Origin

The earthquake is thought to have been tectonic in origin and not directly associated with the ongoing eruption of nearby Mount Merapi, although the earthquake is reported to have caused increased activity in the volcano.<ref name="swissinfo">Sukarsono, Achmad. "Indonesian quake kills thousands", 2006-05-27. Retrieved on 2006-05-27.</ref> The isle of Java lies on the boundaries of the Australian plate and the Eurasian plate. This position places it on the Ring of Fire and predisposes it to common earthquakes and other tectonic activity. The interaction of the two plates below the surface of the Earth caused this earthquake.

[edit] Response

Image:Java Earthquake hospital.jpg

Patients being treated at a hospital in Yogyakarta.

The President of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono moved the army to the central Java province to aid rescue efforts and the evacuation of victims. A team of Cabinet Ministers was also sent to oversee the operations.

Many countries and organizations have offered foreign aid to the devastated region,

Japan has promised $10 million USD, sent two medical teams and has also announced that it will send troops to help out<ref name="BBCaid-2">"Aid pledges for Java victims rise", BBC News, 2006-05-29. Retrieved on 2006-05-29.</ref>

United Kingdom offering four million pounds ($7,436,800 USD)<ref name="BBCaid-2" />

Saudi Arabia has promised $5 million USD, plus food, medical equipment and tents, while the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait have each pledged $4 million USD<ref name="BBCaid-2" />

European Union offering three million euros ($3,800,000 USD) <ref name="BBCaid">"Aid offers pour in for Java quake", BBC News, 2006-05-28. Retrieved on 2006-05-28.</ref>

United States offering $5 million; US military joins relief effort <ref>"U.S. Military Joins Indonesia Quake Relief", CBS News, 2006-05-31. Retrieved on 2006-05-31.</ref>

Australia offering 7.5 million Australian dollars ($5,675,000 USD) in aid relief, including 27 member medical team among over 80 personnel<ref>"Australia send 80 skilled personnel to Yogyakarta", Antara, 2006-05-31. Retrieved on 2006-05-31.</ref>

China offering $2 million U.S dollars <ref>"China to offer 2 mln dollars aid to quake-hit Indonesia", People's Daily Online, 2006-05-28. Retrieved on 2006-05-28.</ref>

Canada offering two million Canadian dollars ($1.8 million USD)<ref>"Ottawa pledges $2M to Indonesia quake victims; no Canadians reported affected", Maclean's, 2006-05-27. Retrieved on 2006-05-28.</ref>

India is putting forward an aid package worth $2 million.<ref>"India steps up aid to Indonesia", The Hindu, 2006-05-29. Retrieved on 2006-05-30.</ref>

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) have donated $1.6 million USD worth of emergency supplies to devastated areas, teaming up with Islamic Relief Worldwide who provided the transportation. In addition, local Indonesian LDS members prepared thousands of meals, hygiene kits, cots, mattresses, and blankets for those requiring medical attention. <ref>"Mormons Donate for Indonesia Earthquake Relief", The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Newsroom, 2006-05-31. Retrieved on 2006-05-31.</ref>

The Netherlands has promised $1.27 million USD, Belgium has pledged $832,000, while Norway, France and Italy have offered either medical teams or relief supplies <ref name="BBCaid-2" />

The Red Cross, Red Crescent, OXFAM as well as UNICEF have been providing tents and emergency supplies to the victims.<ref name="BBCaid" /> Japan and Malaysia are to send medical teams to the affected region <ref>"All our students in Yogyakarta safe", The Star, Malaysia, 2006-05-28. Retrieved on 2006-05-28.</ref>

Singapore has offered humanitarian relief assistance in the form of a 35-member Armed Forces Medical Team, a 43-member Civil Defense Force Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team, as well as $50,000 USD worth of emergency supplies <ref>"Singapore's aid teams arrive in quake-hit Java", Channel NewsAsia, 2006-05-28. Retrieved on 2006-05-28.</ref>

The United Nations World Health Organization has sent medicines and communications equipment, enough emergency health kits to last 50,000 people three months, and surgical kits for as many as 600 operations <ref>"UN health agency rushes aid to quake-struck parts of Indonesia", UN News Centre, 2006-05-29. Retrieved on 2006-05-30.</ref>

Vietnam has offered 1,000 tons of rice to Indonesia.<ref>"Vietnam sends rice aid to Java quake victims", VietNamNet Bridge, 2006-05-31. Retrieved on 2006-05-31.</ref>

Isle of Man has offered £30,000 (US$56,291) to Indonesia<ref>"Island aid for Indonesia", Manx Radio, 2006-05-31. Retrieved on 2006-06-01.</ref>

King Abdullah II of Jordan ordered to dispatch a plane laden with humanitarian relief to alleviate the suffering of Indonesian earthquake victims that hit Java. The aid includes blankets, medicines and other medical equipment.<ref>"King orders dispatch of aid to Indonesian Earthquake Victims", Petra News Agency (Jordan). Retrieved on 2006-06-01.</ref>

[edit] Media response

Most international wire services have already had reporters or 'stringers' in the area due to the Mount Merapi eruption to the north of Yogyakarta.

Yogyakarta for many is associated with Borobudur and Prambanan, even though both locations are some distance away from the town. As a result, news stories tend to emphasize the condition of those places. Borobudur suffered no damage whereas Prambanan, which is much closer to the epicentre, has according to reports<ref name="SMHtempledamage"/>, suffered significant damage.

The reporting of the immensity of the problems that are daily evolving following the earthquake is also competing with the crisis in East Timor (Timor Leste) in the media of some countries like Australia and New Zealand.

[edit] Reconstruction

The earthquake's shallow depth was a major factor, but the scale of the damage was made worse by failure to meet safe building standards and employ basic earthquake-resistant construction methods, according to FuturArc. Most homes in the area were built with low-quality materials without structural frames and reinforcing pillars. Many deaths and injuries occurred when buildings and walls collapsed.

The government was slow to implement assistance in reconstructing private houses, leading many homeowners to repair or rebuild their homes either by themselves or with community help. Reconstruction in some areas was aided by relief agencies, like the Red Cross Red Crescent.

Villagers rebuilt their homes with extremely limited resources, using simple affordable materials. They turned to traditional materials, such as bamboo, because of the damage inflicted by collapsing brick walls.