Earthquake shakes Irian Jaya

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: An earthquake registering 5.5 on the Richter scale rocked the towns of Manokwari and Sorong yesterday afternoon, an official at the Meteorological and Geophysics Agency said.

There have been no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

Assistant seismologist Margiono said the earthquake occurred at 1:01 p.m. East Indonesia Time with its epicenter at normal depth at 0.66 degrees south and 132.98 degrees east.

Margiono said the epicenter was 120 kilometers west of Manokawri, which experienced tremors at Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) levels of three to four and Sorong experienced an MMI level of two.

"At MMI levels of three to four, people can notice their personal belongings shaking in their homes and a truck shaking on the road, while at MMI levels of two people would be unaware there was an earthquake," he said.

There are 12 MMI levels. Margiono said 12 MMI was "doomsday," nine to 11 MMI would show cracks in the earth, break underground water and gas pipes and damage earthquake-resistant buildings.

Seven to eight MMI would damage poorly constructed buildings but not earthquake-resistant buildings. Noticeable "shakes" could be felt while driving at five to six MMI, he said.

Manokwari and Sorong lie 300 kilometers apart in northwest Irian Jaya. (01)