Why Was Indonesia’s Earthquake So Deadly?
On August 5th, 2018, Indonesia experienced a 6.9 magnitude earthquake in the northern part of the island, which caused significant damage to the area and resulted in the death of more than 430 people. Earthquakes all over the world can cause significant damage and, tragically, loss of human life, but the devastation caused by the August 5th earthquake in Indonesia was particularly overwhelming. In this article, we will explore why the damages and fatalities in this case were so severe, and the contributing factors that impacted the health and safety of the citizens of Indonesia.
Earthquake Characteristics
The intense 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Indonesia on August 5th was felt not only in northern Indonesia but also in neighboring Malaysia, Philippines and other areas of the island. The earthquake, a shallow one according to the USGS, had a depth of only 10km. This shallow depth meant that the quake was significantly stronger and more damaging than a deep one. Additionally, the northern part of the island was an area of relatively high seismic activity before the event, increasing the chances of damage.
Location
The impact of the earthquake was most strongly felt within the island of Lombok, an area with many densely-populated communities with inadequate infrastructure for emergency response. The nearby island of Bali, where many tourists visit, was also impacted, but with much less damage. This is due to the fact that Bali is much more developed than Lombok, with better infrastructure and better emergency management systems.
Building Collapse
The primary cause for the loss of life in the August 5th earthquake was the collapse of buildings due to the tremors. Building collapses can be caused by a combination of several factors, but the two most important ones are the type of building and the presence of sustainable building practices. Traditional buildings, without strong foundations and other measures like seismic bracing, are likely to suffer greater damage and are at higher risk of collapse. In some cases, even buildings that had been constructed or retrofitted to meet modern building codes may not have been properly maintained, and their lack of upkeep meant that the building’s ability to withstand the shock was much lower.
Emergency Response
The response to the earthquake was hampered by the lack of preparedness of the area, including the lack of evacuation plans for when such a disaster strikes. Despite being a seismically active area, there was little awareness and knowledge about earthquake preparedness, and the Indonesian government had limited resources to respond.
Action Taken After the Earthquake
Despite the tragedy, Indonesia has taken several steps to speed up recovery and reduce the risk of damage and loss of life in future earthquakes. The government has passed a law that strengthens building codes and increases the inspections of buildings. It has also taken steps to spread awareness of earthquake safety and preparedness in the affected areas. Furthermore, the president of Indonesia has committed to provide financial aid to those affected by the earthquake.
The loss of lives and damage to the property caused by the August 5th earthquake in Indonesia are a tragedy, but it is important to understand why the disaster was so deadly in order to take measures to prevent such tragic events in the future. The primary causes of the destructive impacts of the earthquake were the type of building and the state of preparedness of the area, including the lack of evacuation plans, awareness and resources for emergency response. Thankfully, the Indonesian government has taken measures to reduce the risk of such catastrophes in the future, though it will take time to implement these measures and assess their effectiveness.
