On May 14th, 2021, a 7-magnitude earthquake struck Papua New Guinea, causing panic among locals and leaving many fearing for their safety. Despite the strength of the earthquake, there was no immediate danger of a tsunami, and no warning was issued by authorities. This latest natural disaster highlights the ongoing vulnerabilities faced by communities across the world, particularly in areas prone to seismic activity. In this article, we will examine the impact of the earthquake in Papua New Guinea and consider the wider implications of such events on the global stage.
A 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit northwestern Papua New Guinea before dawn on Monday, according to the US Geological Survey. The temblor struck 97 kilometers from the coastal town of Wewak at a depth of 62 kilometers, occurring at approximately 4:00 am local time with no tsunami order issued. Although the area is sparsely populated, the USGS warns that the loosening of soft ground in the quake zone has the potential to cause damage to communities in the area. This loosening, known as liquefaction, can cause substantial subsidence and horizontal sliding of the ground resulting in major damage, the seismology agency said.
The earthquake occurred in an area about 100 kilometers east of the border with Indonesia on the island of New Guinea. The remote New Britain region, part of an archipelago in eastern Papua New Guinea, was hit by a magnitude 6.2 earthquake in late February.
There were no reports of damage or injuries caused by the recent earthquake, and authorities did not issue any immediate warnings of the possibility of aftershocks. The quake was felt by many inhabitants of the neighboring islands and coastal regions. Papua New Guinea, located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, is often subjected to earthquakes and tsunamis.
Earthquakes occur frequently around the Pacific basin, and Japan, Indonesia, and New Zealand are often affected. More than 170 people were killed in February 2018 when a 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit Papua New Guinea followed by landslides, and in 2016, a 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia triggering a tsunami that killed over 500 people.
Experts have warned that areas that have been hit by past earthquakes are at risk of a repeat occurrence. The region is prone to earthquakes since it is situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire where huge numbers of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions happen. Large earthquakes typically trigger landslides and cause liquefaction, leading to significant loss of life and damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Papua New Guinea, a country located on the eastern side of the island of New Guinea, is home to approximately 7 million people. It is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, with over 800 distinct languages and tribes. The nation is resource-rich, and its economy relies heavily on natural resources like gold, copper, and oil. However, it is frequently subjected to natural disasters like earthquakes and typhoons and has difficulty in establishing and upgrading its infrastructure.
While no noticeable effects of the earthquake have been reported, it remains to be seen whether any significant damage has been done to the communities in the affected areas. As natural disasters continue to threaten the island of New Guinea and the Pacific Basin, the governments of the region will need to prioritize measures to minimize the risks of loss of life and property damage. With experts warning of the likelihood of repeat occurrences of earthquakes and landslides in the region, it is vital that countries like Papua New Guinea invest in measures to prepare for and mitigate the effects of natural disasters.
