2005 Nias–Simeulue earthquake
| UTC time | 2005-03-28 16:09:37 |
|---|---|
| ISC event | 7486110 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | 28 March 2005 |
| Local time | 23:09:37 |
| Magnitude | 8.6 Mw |
| Depth | 30.0 km (18.6 mi) |
| Epicenter | 2°05′N 97°09′E / 2.09°N 97.15°E |
| Fault | Sunda megathrust |
| Type | Megathrust |
| Areas affected | Indonesia |
| Max. intensity | MMI VIII (Severe) |
| Tsunami | 3.0 m (9.8 ft) at Simeulue |
| Landslides | Yes |
| Casualties | 915–1,314 deaths 340–1,146 injured |
The 2005 Nias–Simeulue earthquake occurred on 28 March off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia in the subduction zone of the Sunda megathrust. At least 915 people were killed, mostly on the island of Nias. It was among the top 10 most powerful recorded worldwide since 1900, with a magnitude of 8.6 that caused a relatively small tsunami. Damage ranged from hundreds of buildings destroyed in Nias to widespread power outages throughout the island of Sumatra. Following the mainshock, eight major aftershocks occurred ranging from 5.5 to 6.0 magnitudes.
The earthquake occurred at 16:09:37 UTC (23:09:37 local time) on 28 March 2005. The hypocenter was located 30 kilometres (19 mi) below the surface of the Indian Ocean, where subduction is forcing the Indo-Australian plate to the southwest under the Eurasian plate's Sunda edge. The area is 200 kilometres (120 mi) west of Sibolga, Sumatra, or 1,400 kilometres (870 mi) northwest of Jakarta, approximately halfway between the islands of Nias and Simeulue. Effects were felt as far away as Bangkok, Thailand, over 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) away.