Yogyakarta - Java, Earthquake and Panic

I'm not good at drawing nor an earth scientist, but the above picture is something I can describe about the current situation impacted by earthquake in Bantul - Yogyakarta - Java, Indonesia. After a short phone chat with Mr. Gegar Prasetya (Yaya), I am trying to put his comment regarding that matter into this posting. He is a BPPT scientist who is currently undertaking a PhD research at the University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand.



According to USGS, the earthquake is categorised as strong with 6.3 magnitude and occured on Saturday, May 27, 2006 at 5:54:02 AM local time. The epicentre is exactly located at 7.977°S, 110.318°E with 35 km (21.7 miles) depth about 20km of SSW Yogyakarta, not under the South Indian Ocean.

With a lack of natural disaster education and knowledge, surely a false tsunami rumour coming from the South Ocean direction has spread to people around Yogyakarta city.

The tsunami scare started when Yogyakarta province police chief Bambang Hari Sampurnojati told local radio that the earthquake was to be followed by tidal waves.

"We panicked when we heard that there was a tsunami. We were ready to flee," Yogyakarta resident Clemon Cilik told the state Antara news agency. (AFP)

From the north direction, the volcano eruption threat of Mount Merapi has been haunting for the last two weeks and the lava and toxic gas move towards the southern area.

A vulcanologist said the quake had heightened volcanic activity at nearby Mount Merapi, a volcano experts believe may be about to erupt. Merapi has been rumbling for weeks and sporadically emitting hot lava and highly toxic hot gas. (Reuters)

According to Yaya, the impact of the earthquake on the volcano eruption, however, has two possibilities: slowing down or quickening.

But, I will say, let us pray for no more deaths. Four thousand deaths are more than enough for Indonesia after the last Tsunami. Meanwhile, the relief is still to come. From us.

==========
Update: Java Earthquake Information (in Bahasa) at Helpjogja.net, administered by Gajah Mada University team on the scene.

See the general animation >>>

The slowing down or quickening effect depends on the impact of the earthquake shakes the lava chamber.