14/09/2022
The 7.6 magnitude earthquake occured when a fault (crack in the earth's crust) ruptured several tens of kilometers east of Kainantu in Papua New Guinea. Properties were destroyed, over 5 lives were taken and sadly the memories left by this natural disaster will be engraved in some people's minds forever. Our condolences to the families, relatives and friends who had lost a loved one.
Let us not forget that natural disasters will occur at some intervals during our lifetime. We may either be a witness, hear, read or watch of it, or unfortunately become caught in it. It may either be a tsunami, earthquake, landslide, flood, volcanic eruption, etc... We can also prepare for such, but unfortunately, most natural disasters cannot be predicted accurately as yet (e.g., earthquakes).
Let us look at some natural disasters that occured from 2011 up till present. "Lest we forget"
22nd February, 2011:
Christ Church in New Zealand was rocked by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake. About 185 lives were lost with severe damage to properties and infrastructures.
11th March, 2011:
Tohoku Tsunami in Japan. The massive 9.0 to 9.1 magnitude earthquake that triggered a tsunami. Over 15,000 Japanese people perished. Severe damage to properties and infrastructure were reported.
Sometimes PNG may be soooo lucky... Remembering...
19th of April 2014:
A measured 7.5 magnitude earthquake that struck offshore from the island of Bougainville, PNG. We were too lucky to avoid any casualties or severe infrastructure damages. No tsunami.
28th/29th August 2014:
Tavuvur in PNG erupted and clouds of ash rained down. No tsunami was related to this volcanic event This volcanic event coincided with the Iceland volcanic activity. The Iceland Volcanic activity started off with the Tavurvur eruption, but lasted till February 27th 2015.
05th of May 2015:
A 7.4 to 7.5 magnitude earthquake occured 135 km off the coast of Kokopo, PNG. Again, no severe damages to lives, infrastructure and properties were reported. No tsunami.
14th of May, 2019:
A 7.6 magnitude earthquake was measured 48 km north-east of Kokopo, PNG. No damages or loss of lives were reported. This earthquake was felt strongly in New Ireland. No tsunami.
In other times, these natural disasters made headlines in PNG... Remembering...
05th of January, 2018:
The Kadovar volcano in PNG started to erupt. Villages and people were displaced.
25th February, 2018:
The central Highlands earthquake in PNG. This earthquake was measured at 7.5 magnitude. Damages were documented. This event left people wondering about the causes to such an earthquake. Sadly, some people thought it was due to petroleum fracking processes. This is not true. It was simply due to plate tectonics.
Than we have some recent disasters to mention a few in PNG... Remembering...
28th December, 2020
The Saki Landslide at Goilala, PNG. Sadly, this landslide took the lives of over 10 people and more. The damages sustained were isolated from road infrastructure. It needed air support for help to be flown in.
11th of September, 2022:
The 7.6 current north-west Morobean (PNG) earthquake. The epicenter is situated several kilometers east of Kainantu, yet the shockwaves were felt as far as Port Moresby City. More than 5 lives were lost, and severe damage to properties and infrastructure were reported.
Natural disasters will happen. So far, the advance in technology and knowledge have helped us in the prediction of some. But unfortunately, there are some natural disasters that can't be predicted accurately as yet. The best we can do is educate ourselves on what to do when such disasters occur. It is best that advices and evacuation orders from relevant Authorities responsible for disaster monitoring should be taken seriously. Your life is important than what material goods you posses. Save your family, relatives, friends and yourself. It is the right thing to do.
