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  4. 17
  5. 1996 Biak earthquake

Events on February 17 in history

1996Feb, 17

The 8.2 Mw Biak earthquake shakes the Papua province of eastern Indonesia with a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe). A large tsunami followed, leaving one-hundred sixty-six people dead or missing and 423 injured.

The 1996 Biak earthquake, or the 1996 Irian Jaya earthquake, occurred on February 17 at 14:59:30 local time near Biak Island, Indonesia. The earthquake had a moment magnitude of 8.2 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). The run-up height of the generated tsunami reached 7 meters (23 ft). One-hundred and sixty-six people were reported dead, 423 were injured, and 5,090 were made homeless.

This earthquake was a thrust in a very oblique subduction zone. It ruptured at least 270 km (170 mi) along the New Guinea oceanic trench. The slip distribution is very nonuniform. The largest slip was ~12 m near the hypocentral depth, and the mean slip over a 230 km by 100 km fault area was 4 m.


References

  • 1996 Biak earthquake
  • Papua (province)
  • Indonesia
  • Mercalli intensity scale

Choose Another Date

Events on 1996

  • 10Feb

    Garry Kasparov

    IBM supercomputer Deep Blue defeats Garry Kasparov in chess for the first time.
  • 13May

    Bangladesh

    Severe thunderstorms and a tornado in Bangladesh kill 600 people.
  • 10Jun

    Sinn Féin

    Peace talks begin in Northern Ireland without the participation of Sinn Féin.
  • 4Sep

    Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia

    War on Drugs: Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) attack a military base in Guaviare, starting three weeks of guerrilla warfare in which at least 130 Colombians are killed.
  • 25Nov

    Florida

    An ice storm strikes the central U.S., killing 26 people. A powerful windstorm affects Florida and winds gust over 90 mph, toppling trees and flipping trailers.

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