September 2009 Commentary

A major earthquake occurred at 03:16 AM (PDT). This event was located in Southern Sumatra, Indonesia, about 35 miles WNW of Padang. The moment magnitude for this event, determined by the USGS National Earthquake Information Service, is 7.6. At least 1100 people were killed, 2181 injured and thousands are still unaccounted for in the Padang area. More than 2650 building have been damaged in the area and landslides have disrupted power and communications. Felt (VII) at Padang. The event was widely felt throughout Sumatra and Java, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. NEIC Information for this event.

A great earthquake occurred at 10:48 AM (PDT). This event was located in the Samoa Islands Region, about 120 miles ENE of Hihifo, Tonga Islands. The moment magnitude for this event, determined by the USGS National Earthquake Information Service, is 8.0. At least 139 people killed in Samoa, 22 people i American Samoa and seven people on Niuatoputapu, Tonga. There was widespread damage to infrastructure at Pago Pago, American Samoa, in many parts of Samoa and in Niuatoputapu, Tonga. A tsunami was observed in the region, the maximum wave height (peak-to-trough) recorded was 314 cm at Pago Pago, American Samoa. NEIC Information for this event.

A mild earthquake occurred at 05:52 PM (PDT). This event was located about 11 miles SW of Willits, CA. The moment magnitude for this event, determined at Berkeley, is 3.5. The maximum modified Mercalli Intensity for the event was IV. Shake Map of instrument intensities measured for this event, is available (Did You Feel It?") Map.

A mild earthquake occurred at 11:45 AM (PDT). This event was located about 1 mile NE of Aromas, CA. The moment magnitude for this event, determined at Berkeley, is 3.6. The maximum modified Mercalli Intensity for the event was III. Shake Map of instrument intensities measured for this event, is available (Did You Feel It?") Map.

A mild earthquake occurred at 02:47 AM (PDT). This event was located about at Hollister, CA. The moment magnitude for this event, determined at Berkeley, is 3.9. The maximum modified Mercalli Intensity for the event was IV. Shake Map of instrument intensities measured for this event, is available (Did You Feel It?") Map.

A mild earthquake occurred at 08:20 PM (PDT). This event was located about 8 miles SW of Paso Robles, CA. The moment magnitude for this event, determined at Berkeley, is 3.8. The maximum modified Mercalli Intensity for the event was III. Shake Map of instrument intensities measured for this event, is available (Did You Feel It?") Map.

A major earthquake occurred at 12:55 AM (PDT). This event was located in the Java, Indonesia Region, about 65 miles SSW of Bandung. The moment magnitude for this event, determined by the USGS National Earthquake Information Service, is 7.0. At least 72 people were killed, many injured, and severe damage occurred in western Java; a landslide occurred at Cikangkareng. The event was felt widely on Java, maximum intensity of VII at Tasikmalaya. NEIC Information for this event.