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The 2007 Solomon Islands earthquake took place on April 2, 2007, near the island of Gizo, in the Solomon Islands. Its magnitude was calculated by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) as being at 8.1 on the moment magnitude scale. Image File history File links Current_event_marker. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... April 2 is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 273 days remaining. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... The moment magnitude scale was introduced in 1979 by Tom Hanks and Hiroo Kanamori as a successor to the Richter scale and is used by seismologists to compare the energy released by earthquakes. ... April 2 is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 273 days remaining. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... A map of Gizo Island Gizo is the capital of the Western province in the Solomon Islands. ... In science, a magnitude is the numerical size of something: see orders of magnitude. ... The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is a scientific agency of the United States government. ... The moment magnitude scale was introduced in 1979 by Tom Hanks and Hiroo Kanamori as a successor to the Richter scale and is used by seismologists to compare the energy released by earthquakes. ...

According to the USGS, the earthquake was recorded around 7:39:56 a.m. local time (UTC+11). 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.^[1] Since the first earthquake there have been numerous aftershocks, the worst of which measured 6.2 on the moment magnitude scale. An earthquake is a natural phenomenon that results from the sudden release of stored energy in the Earths crust that creates seismic waves. ... as non DST time Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae, Pohnpei, and surrounding area New Caledonia Russia Kuril Islands* Magadan Oblast* Sakha Republic* (eastern portion) Solomon Islands Vanuatu as DST Australia (Australian Eastern Daylight Time) Australian Capital Territory** New South Wales** Tasmania** (where daylight saving time starts on the first weekend... The hypocenter or hypocentre (literally: below the center from the Greek υπόκεντρον), may refer to the site of an earthquake or to that of a nuclear explosion. ... km redirects here. ... A mile is a unit of length, usually used to measure distance, in a number of different systems, including Imperial units, United States customary units and Norwegian/Swedish mil. ... km redirects here. ... A mile is a unit of length, usually used to measure distance, in a number of different systems, including Imperial units, United States customary units and Norwegian/Swedish mil. ... A map of Gizo Island Gizo is the capital of the Western province in the Solomon Islands. ... The term township is used to denote a lower level territorial subdivision. ... Solomon Islands New Georgia Islands The New Georgia Islands are part of the Western Province of the Solomon Islands. ... Western Province is one of the provinces of the Solomon Islands. ... The moment magnitude scale was introduced in 1979 by Tom Hanks and Hiroo Kanamori as a successor to the Richter scale and is used by seismologists to compare the energy released by earthquakes. ...

Effects

At least thirty-seven people are reported to have been killed and one hundred reported missing^[2] when a tsunami triggered by the earthquake struck the Solomon Islands, wiping out thirteen or more villages ^[3]. Thousands were left homeless, and damages are estimated in millions. Rescuers are trying to reach other islands, and the reported death toll is thus expected to rise. In South Choiseul, waves 10 meters high swept away villages, gardens and a hospital.^[4] About 900 homes were destroyed and 5000 people left homeless ^[5]. The tsunami that struck Malé in the Maldives on December 26, 2004. ...

The tsunami reached Papua New Guinea, with a family of five reportedly missing from a remote island in the tsunami's path.^[6]

Aid workers have reported that an outbreak of diarrhoea has emerged among the survivors.^[7] Diarrhoea is the correct way to spell the word Diarrhoea. ...

The island of Ranongga in the New Georgia Group was lifted out of the sea 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.^[8]

Response

Areas affected by the main and aftershock earthquakes

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.^[9][10] However, as the epicenter was close to the Solomon Islands, the tsunami hit before the Hawaiian Pacific Tsunami Warning Center released the warning.^[11] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 514 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (612 × 714 pixel, file size: 101 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Source: http://earthquake. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 514 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (612 × 714 pixel, file size: 101 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Source: http://earthquake. ... The Pacific Ocean (from the Latin name Mare Pacificum, peaceful sea, bestowed upon it by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan) is the worlds largest body of water. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The Bureau of Meteorology is an Executive Agency of the Australian Government responsible for providing weather services to Australia and surrounding areas. ... Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Peter Beattie (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 28  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $158,506 (3rd)  - Product per capita  $40,170/person (6th) Population (End of September 2006)  - Population  4,070,400 (3rd)  - Density  2. ... Capital Hobart Government Const. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Tsunameter and buoys used by DART system The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), operated by NOAA in Ewa Beach, Hawaii, USA, is one of two tsunami warning centers in the United States. ...

High-magnitude ocean waves propagate at speeds near 25 meters per second, which means that they traverse the 25 kilometer distance from the epicenter to Gavo in 1000 seconds: less than 20 minutes. Fortunately, the S-waves from the earthquake shook the ground and alerted the population, allowing many to flee to high ground before the wave struck. A type of seismic wave, the S-wave moves in a shear or transverse wave, so motion is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. ...

Aid response

Australia has offered AU$2 million in aid, while New Zealand has offered NZ$500,000 and sent supplies in an air force plane.^[12] The United States has so far contributed US$250,000 in aid.^[13] Taiwan has contributed US$214,000 and shipment of 1,000 kg of rice.^[14] France has also airlifted supplies via New Caledonia.^[15] The United Nations has established a field hospital in Gizo, with a total of eight planned for the entire country, and has also established three camps for internally displaced persons.^[16] UNICEF has issued an appeal for US$500,000 for both the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.^[17] Separately, the Red Cross has issued an appeal for US$800,000.^[18] The foundation of the U.N. The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate co-operation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress and human rights issues. ... Tailor in Labuje IDP camp in Uganda An internally displaced person (IDP) is someone who has been forced to leave their home for reasons such as religious or political persecution or war, but has not crossed an international border. ... UNICEF Logo The United Nations Childrens Fund or UNICEF (Arabic: ; French: ; Spanish: ) was established by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 1946. ... The Red Cross and the Red Crescent emblems, the symbols from which the Movement derives its name. ...

The remoteness of some villages means that aid may not reach them until four days after the tsunami occurred.^[19] However, the Associated Press has reported that Gizo's airport has reopened, easing the delivery of supplies.^[20] The Associated Press, or AP, is an American news agency, the worlds largest such organization. ...

Tectonic summary

The earthquake occurred along the boundary of the Pacific plate with, respectively, the Australia, Woodlark, and Solomon Sea plates.^[21] The latter three plates converge to the east-northeast or northeast against the Pacific plate with velocities of 90–105 millimetres/year.^[21] 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. The April 2 earthquake's location and focal mechanism are consistent with the earthquake having occurred as underthrusting of the Australia/Woodlark/Solomon Sea plate beneath the Pacific plate, as part of the broader northeast-directed subduction process.  The Pacific plate, shown in pale yellow The Pacific Plate is an oceanic tectonic plate beneath the Pacific Ocean. ... The Solomon Sea is a sea located within the Pacific Ocean. ...

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 April 2 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.^[21] (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999...

References

April 2 is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 273 days remaining. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... RIA (Russian Information Agency) Novosti is a Russian press agency based in Moscow. ... News Limited was the principal holding for the business interests of Rupert Murdoch until the formation of News Corporation in 1979. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... April 2 is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 273 days remaining. ... April 3 is the 93rd day of the year (94th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 272 days remaining. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... News Limited was the principal holding for the business interests of Rupert Murdoch until the formation of News Corporation in 1979. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... April 2 is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 273 days remaining. ... April 2 is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 273 days remaining. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... The current BBC News logo BBC News and Current Affairs is a major arm of the BBC responsible for the corporations newsgathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... April 2 is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 273 days remaining. ... April 2 is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 273 days remaining. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... April 2 is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 273 days remaining. ... April 2 is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 273 days remaining. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... Reuters Group plc (LSE: RTR and NASDAQ: RTRSY); pron. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... April 7 is the 97th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (98th in leap years). ... April 7 is the 97th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (98th in leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... News Limited was the principal holding for the business interests of Rupert Murdoch until the formation of News Corporation in 1979. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... April 2 is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 273 days remaining. ... April 2 is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 273 days remaining. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... News Limited was the principal holding for the business interests of Rupert Murdoch until the formation of News Corporation in 1979. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... April 2 is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 273 days remaining. ... April 2 is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 273 days remaining. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... April 3 is the 93rd day of the year (94th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 272 days remaining. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... April 2 is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 273 days remaining. ... April 2 is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 273 days remaining. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... The United States Department of State, often referred to as the State Department, is the Cabinet-level foreign affairs agency of the United States government, equivalent to foreign ministries in other countries. ... The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is a United Nations organisation that was formed in December 1991 from General Assembly Resolution 46/182. ... The Associated Press, or AP, is an American news agency, the worlds largest such organization. ... The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) operates television and radio networks in the United States and is also shown on basic cable in Canada. ... KGO-TV (ABC7) is an owned-and-operated television station of The Walt Disney Company-owned ABC, based in San Francisco, California. ... The foundation of the U.N. The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate co-operation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress and human rights issues. ... UNICEF Logo The United Nations Childrens Fund or UNICEF (Arabic: ; French: ; Spanish: ) was established by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 1946. ... The Voice of America (VOA) is the official international broadcasting service of the Government of the United States. ... Reuters Group plc (LSE: RTR and NASDAQ: RTRSY); pron. ... The Associated Press, or AP, is an American news agency, the worlds largest such organization. ... WSTM-TV (NBC-3) is the NBC affiliate for Syracuse, New York. ... April 2 is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 273 days remaining. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ...

External links

Wikinews has news related to:

Strong earthquake near Solomon Islands, tsunami warnings issued

• Stuff.co.nz:Tsunami fears after massive Solomons quake
• Associated Press: Tsunami hits Solomons
• Australian Bureau of Meteorology Tsunami Warnings summary
• NOAA - Solomon Islands - Historic Quakes
• Reuters - Solom Islands Tsunami Damage
• UNOSAT - Potential Tsunami Affected Areas
• Solomon Islands Government