Why Indonesia’s 5.6-magnitude earthquake was so devastating as death toll surpasses 260? Know here

Indonesia's 5.6 magnitude earthquake killed more than 260 and injured hundreds more. Buildings have crumbled, and rescuers continued to pull bodies out of the debris, and many people are still missing.

The U.S. Geological Survey stated that the earthquake that occurred late Monday afternoon measured 5.6 in magnitude. It was at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.2 miles).

A 5.6 magnitude earthquake would normally cause light damage to buildings. But the magnitude alone is not a measure of the potential damage that a quake can cause. Experts opine that the damage has been so serious in Indonesia as the earthquake was very shallow and close to known fault lines. The region is also built with infrastructure not designed to withstand earthquakes. Since the quake was so close to the surface, the damage caused was very severe.




The city of Cianjur was the worst affected. It is in the most densely populated area in West Java and is located 217 kilometres (135 miles) south of Jakarta.

FAQs:

1. What are the factors that determine the damage by an earthquake?
   An earthquake's damage is due to the magnitude, distance from the earthquake, soil type, distance from a fault, building construction and other factors. Earthquake-proof buildings will better withstand a quake than an ordinary one.
2. What is a fault?
   A fault is a break in the rock forming the earth's surface. An earthquake results in one side of the fault slipping compared to the other.
3. Is Indonesia earthquake-prone?
   Indonesia is located on the arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin, making it prone to earthquakes.