Science Features
A map showing the population exposure from the M 8.6 earthquake that struck off the west coast of northern Sumatra on April 11, 2012
A magnitude-8.6 earthquake struck off the west coast of northern Sumatra Wednesday, April 11, 2012, at 8:38 a.m., UTC. It was followed by a M-8.2 earthquake at 10:43 a.m. UTC. The estimated depths of these earthquakes are 14 and 10 miles respectively.
The M 8.6 event caused low to moderate shaking in the Sumatran cities of Sinabang and Meulaboh general alarm in costal areas of northwestern Sumatra where people rushed to higher ground. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a tsunami watch for both the M 8.6 and the M 8.2 earthquakes, but subsequently cancelled both.
The current version of the USGS Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response (PAGER) estimate is that economic losses are most likely to be less than $1 million range, and there are no expected fatalities.
A map showing the responses to the USGS Did You Feel It? tool following the April 11, 2012 M 8.6 earthquake off the west coast of northern Sumatra
The earthquake struck near the eastern edge of the Indian Ocean off the west coast of northern Sumatra. As of this writing, 1,912 people in 245 cities throughout northern Sumatra and the surrounding region had responded on the USGS Did You Feel It? website.
History of strong earthquakes
Sumatra is located in a tectonically active area, and it experiences frequent significant earthquakes. In 2004, this area experienced a M 9.1 earthquake that resulted in a significant tsunami. In total, 227,898 people were killed or were missing and presumed dead and about 1.7 million people were displaced by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami in 14 countries in South Asia and East Africa.
While Hurricane Isaac has passed, scientific work to understand the storm’s impact on Gulf Coast states continues. Read more
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Real-time map showing the extent of flooding (black dots) and drought (red dots) in the U.S. Read more
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Timing is everything! Consider helping track changes in spring’s arrival
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Five USGS employees honored with Distinguished Service Awards for their service to the nation
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Oct. 9-15, 2011, is Earth Science Week, themed "Our-Ever Changing Earth," and Oct. 12, 2011, is International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction. Answers to questions posed by a changing world
Fire managers and the public can access online maps of current wildfire locations, thanks to a Web-based mapping application provided by the USGS and its partners.
On Feb. 7, 1812, at about 3 a.m., a third, and probably most widely felt of three major earthquakes, occurred in the central Mississippi River Valley. Similar risk today.
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A new geologic map of Lassen Volcanic National Park and vicinity has been created. The map area includes the entire Lassen Volcanic Center, parts of three older volcanic centers, and the products of regional volcanism.
To better understand and reduce tsunami hazards, USGS scientists examined sediment deposited by the tsunami in and around Sendai, Japan, as part of an international tsunami survey team organized by Japanese scientific cooperators.
USGS crews continue to measure streamflow and collect water quality and sediment samples in the Ohio and Mississippi River basins using state-of-art instruments.
Many communities in South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Colorado, Wyoming and Iowa are dealing with record floodwaters and bracing for more flooding in the upcoming weeks.
Fire managers and the public can access online maps of current wildfire locations, thanks to a web-based mapping application provided by the USGS and its partners.
New Zealand has experienced another damaging earthquake close to the city of Christchurch, which is still recovering from the magnitude-6.1 earthquake that struck in February. This latest quake has resulted in additional damage to buildings and infrastructure.
The USGS-NASA Landsat 5 satellite captured this image of 39-mile track of destruction caused by a massive tornado on June 1 near Sturbridge, MA.
As hurricane season starts, researchers are modeling potential changes to coastal environments to identify communities vulnerable to extreme erosion during storms. Data collected before and after storm landfall are used to verify past forecasts and improve future predictions.
The effects of the March 11 magnitude 9.0 earthquake and resulting tsunami on Japan are being monitored using Landsat satellite data from the USGS.
The most recent earthquake in Japan affected water levels in groundwater wells all over the country. Water level fluctuations were recorded as far away as Illinois, Virginia, Missouri and Florida.
Volcanic activity continues in the Pu`u `O`o crater on Kilauea Volcano's east rift zone and in the Halema`uma`u Crater vent at Kilauea’s summit. Visit the USGS Hawaii Volcanoes Observatory site to get detailed Kilauea and Mauna Loa activity updates, recent volcano photos, recent earthquakes, and more.
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Looking for information on natural resources, natural hazards, geospatial data, and more? The USGS Education site provides great resources, including lessons, data, maps, and more, to support teaching, learning, K-12 education, and university-level inquiry and research.
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The USGS Science Strategy is a comprehensive report to critically examine the USGS's major science goals and priorities for the coming decade. The USGS is moving forward with these strategic science directions in response to the challenges that our Nation's future faces and for the stewards of our Federal lands.
In response to Hurricane Isaac, USGS has deployed several hundred storm surge sensors to collect information about the effects of Isaac on the Gulf Coast.
Join us on September 5th in Reston, VA for a free public lecture on the 2011 Virginia earthquake!
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Join us on June 6 for a centennial look at the greatest volcanic eruption of the 20th century at our June Public Lecture!
In recognition of World Forestry Day, let’s take a glimpse at USGS science to understand the fate of forests from climate change.
The Volcano Hazards Program announces the establishment of the USGS California Volcano Observatory (CalVO), which expands and replaces the former Long Valley Observatory.
The U.S. Geological Survey had a very busy 2011 — below are a few of our highlights from last year.
On Nov. 3, USGS scientists Patrick Barnard and William Ellsworth will present a public lecture in Menlo Park, CA, providing Bay Area residents information about USGS research in the San Francisco Bay Area, including recent discoveries beneath San Francisco Bay and ongoing studies to better understand earthquake probabilities and the potential hazards associated with strong ground shaking.
Join USGS scientists on November 2nd to discuss the seismology of the M5.8 Virginia earthquake, its effects, and its context in the geology of Virginia.
U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
URL: www.usgs.gov/blogs/features/usgs_top_story/magnitude-8-6-earthquake-strikes-northern-sumatra-indonesia/
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Page Last Modified: September 14, 2011
