Solomon Islands Earthquake

LOCATION AND EPICENTER

Near the provincial capital of Gizo on Ghizo Island, in Solomon Islands.
The focus was 10 km (6 mi) deep and 40 km (25 mi) South South-East
of Gizo township on New Georgia Islands in Western Province.
DATE AND TIME
2 April 2007, 7:39:56 a.m. local time (UTC+11).
MAGNITUDE
Its magnitude was calculated by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) as being at 8.1
on the moment magnitude scale.
There were numerous aftershocks, the largest of which had a magnitude of 6.2.
CASULTIES
The tsunami that followed the earthquake killed 52 people.

TOPOGRAPHY AND TECTONIC SETTING

The Australia, Woodlark, and Solomon Sea plates converge to the east-northeast or
northeast against the Pacific plate with velocities of 90105 millimetres/year. Along much of
the plate boundary between the Pacific plate and the Australia/Woodlark/Solomon Sea
plates, relative plate-motion is accomplished principally by subduction of the
Australia/Woodlark/Solomon Sea plates beneath the Pacific plate.

Earthquake

The earthquake's location and focal mechanism are consistent with the earthquake having
occurred as under thrusting of the Australia/Woodlark/Solomon Sea plate beneath the
Pacific plate, as part of the broader northeast-directed subduction process. The length of
faulting was estimated to be about 26050 km. The Solomon Islands arc as a whole
experiences a very high level of earthquake activity, and many shocks of magnitude 7 and
larger have been recorded since the early decades of the twentieth century. The 2 April
earthquake, however, nucleated in a 250 kilometre-long segment of the arc that had
produced no shocks of magnitude 7 or larger since the early 20th century.
Warnings
A tsunami warning was issued for the South Pacific Ocean, and advisories issued for Japan
and Hawaii. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a warning for Australia's eastern
coast, from Queensland's Barrier Reef to Tasmania, and beaches along the coast were closed,
while many evacuated to higher ground. However, as the epicentre was close to the Solomon
Islands, the tsunami hit before the Hawaiian Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre released the
warning.
High-magnitude ocean waves propagate at high speeds close to 25 meters per second, which
meant that they traversed the 55-kilometer distance from the epicentre to Gavo in less than
20 minutes. The S-waves from the earthquake shook the ground and alerted the population,
allowing many to flee to high ground before the wave struck.
From Honiara, one of the first warnings came from the People First Network's Simbo email
station, situated close to the epicentre. PFnet's Technical Advisor David Leeming relates that
20 minutes after the earthquake, Nickson Sioni from Simbo came on the (HF) radio and
announced the arrival of a huge wave that had washed away several houses and come inland
about 200m. This information was passed on by telephone to the Hawaii-based Pacific
Tsunami Warning Center who then upgraded their warning to an "expanding regional alert".
This was achieved before the 35-minute arrival time of the wave for the capital Honiara, which
in the event proved non-destructive.

Tsunami

Coastal damage in the Solomon Islands shows the effects of the resultant tsunami.

At least fifty-two people were reported to have been killed and sixty reported missing when
a tsunami triggered by the earthquake struck the Solomon Islands, wiping out thirteen or
more villages. Thousands were left homeless, and damage is estimated in the millions. The
largest waves were reported on the northern tip of Simbo Island, where maximum tsunami
run-ups were 12 m, completely washing away two villages, Tapurai and Riquru, and killing 10
people. In South Choiseul, waves 10 meters high swept away villages, gardens and a
hospital. About 900 homes were destroyed.
The tsunami reached Papua New Guinea, with a family of five reportedly missing from a
remote island in Milne Bay Province, which was in the tsunami's path. The beaches and ferry
services at Sydney were closed due to tsunami alert.
Aid workers reported that an outbreak of diarrhoea emerged among the survivors. However,
the UN reported that the outbreak and other diseases were under control as of 12 April. On
18 April, a measles outbreak was reported and an immunisation program was underway.
The island of Ranongga in the New Georgia Group was lifted three meters by the earthquake,
causing its beaches to shift outwards of up to 70 meters. Large coral reefs in the area are now
largely above the surface and local fishermen are worried that the fishing grounds have been
destroyed.[17] However, Australian scientists said the exposure of the reefs are a normal part
of island building and that careful wildlife management can preserve the reefs that remain.

AFTERMATH AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Francis Billy Hilly, the MP for Simbo Island where 10 people died, said on 8 April that those
who had previously resisted resettlement away from the island's active volcano were
reconsidering their options. The national government may also relocate islanders away from
low-lying areas pending a review of long-term rehabilitation and disaster preparedness
plans. The Australian government announced that a network of five tsunami warning buoys
will be deployed along its Pacific coast, with two buoys stationed in the Papua New
Guinea/Solomon Islands area.
Response

Taiwanese fishing vessel aground on a reef while participating in relief operations

Australia committed to contribute an initial 3 million AUD in emergency aid, later increased
to 5.7 million as of June 2007. New Zealand gave 950,000 NZD during the initial relief period,
and committed 7.5 million NZD over two years to reconstruction, as of July 2007. The United
States contributed US$250,000 in aid. Taiwan contributed US$214,000 and shipment of
1,000 kg of rice. France has also airlifted supplies via New Caledonia.
The United Nations established a field hospital in Gizo, with a total of eight planned for the
entire country, and also established three camps for internally displaced persons. Australian
and Canadian medical teams have also been deployed across the islands. Papua New Guinea,
itself affected by the tsunami, has contributed US$340,000 and a light plane that can better
access smaller, more remote airstrips. UNICEF issued an appeal for US$500,000 for both the
Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Separately, the Red Cross has issued an appeal for
US$800,000. The remoteness of some villages meant that aid did not reach them until several
days after the tsunami occurred. However, the Associated Press reported on 6 April that
Gizo's airport had reopened, easing the delivery of supplies.