1938 Banda Sea earthquake
Encyclopedia
The 1938 Banda Sea earthquake occurred in the Banda Sea
region on February 1, 1938, and was the ninth largest earthquake
in the 20th century. It had an estimated magnitude of 8.5 on the Moment magnitude scale
, and intensities
as high as VII (very strong). It generated Tsunami
s of up to 1.5 metres, but no human lives appear to have been lost.
. N of Saumlaki, Tanimbar Islands
. N of Darwin, Australia. E of Jakarta, Java.
Banda Sea
The Banda Sea is a sea in the Maluku Islands of Indonesia, technically part of the Pacific Ocean but separated from it by hundreds of islands, as well as the Halmahera and Ceram Seas...
region on February 1, 1938, and was the ninth largest earthquake
Earthquake
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...
in the 20th century. It had an estimated magnitude of 8.5 on the Moment magnitude scale
Moment magnitude scale
The moment magnitude scale is used by seismologists to measure the size of earthquakes in terms of the energy released. The magnitude is based on the seismic moment of the earthquake, which is equal to the rigidity of the Earth multiplied by the average amount of slip on the fault and the size of...
, and intensities
Mercalli intensity scale
The Mercalli intensity scale is a seismic scale used for measuring the intensity of an earthquake. It measures the effects of an earthquake, and is distinct from the moment magnitude M_w usually reported for an earthquake , which is a measure of the energy released...
as high as VII (very strong). It generated Tsunami
Tsunami
A tsunami is a series of water waves caused by the displacement of a large volume of a body of water, typically an ocean or a large lake...
s of up to 1.5 metres, but no human lives appear to have been lost.
Location
WNW of Dobo, Aru IslandsAru Islands
The Aru Islands are a group of about ninety-five low-lying islands in the Maluku province of eastern Indonesia. They also form a regency of Indonesia.-Geography:...
. N of Saumlaki, Tanimbar Islands
Tanimbar Islands
The Tanimbar Islands, also called Timor Laut, are a group of about 65 islands in the Maluku province of Indonesia, including Fordata, Larat, Maru, Molu, Nuswotar, Selaru, Selu, Seira, Wotap, Wuliaru and Yamdena.-Geography:...
. N of Darwin, Australia. E of Jakarta, Java.
See also
- 2005 Banda Sea earthquake
- 2006 Banda Sea earthquake2006 Banda Sea earthquakeThe 2006 Banda Sea earthquake was an earthquake that occurred in the Banda Sea region, at 16:58 on January 27, 2006, with a magnitude of 7.6Mw. The location was 200 km south of Ambon Island, and 445 km north east of Dili, East Timor...
- 2009 Banda Sea earthquake