National Tsunami Warning Center, NOAA/NWS

TSUNAMI of 11 November 2004

A major earthquake with a moment magnitude of 7.5 occurred at 21:26 UTC 11 November 2004 and was located 55 miles (90 km) WNW of Dili, East Timor (8.17°S, 124.86°E, 10 km deep - USGS location).

According to the Indonesian Meteorological and Geophysical Agency (BMG), the earthquake produced a  local tsunami of about 1-2 meters in East Alor, with inundation about 50m from the coastline.
Following are information releases collected from various sources:

17 Perish in Indonesia quake
Posted: Nov. 13, 2004
The News International - Pakistan

JAKARTA: A series of powerful earthquakes rocked eastern Indonesia on Friday, killing at least 17 people and injuring more than 160 others. It struck at 4:26am. Local meteorologists put the magnitude of the quake at 6.0 on the Richter scale, while the Observatory of Earth Sciences in Strasbourg recorded it as 7.3.

The quake was felt in the nearby country East Timor, struck Alor Island, 1,000kms east of the island resort Bali, destroyed hundreds of homes and left hospitals struggling to cope with the wounded. Quakes of such size render massive destruction and result in high casualty figures but the tolls was lower due to low-levels of urbanisation in Alor. mean that.

Deputy Chief of Alor Police Hasan Kiko stated that a total of 17 people across the island had been killed by the quake by 10.30 GMT. The main jolt was followed by three powerful aftershocks. He said the tremors damaged approximately 1,100 buildings across the island, many of them homes and at least 22 of them were flattened.

Many people had left their dwellings to huddle in open fields. Residents set up camp outside their houses fearing further tremors while tents were pitched outside the island's main hospital in the town of Kalabahi to treat victims, Hasan Kiko said and informed that 160 people were hospitalised with serious and minor injuries.

The US embassy in Jakarta said it was releasing $50,000 of emergency assistance for the victims and was chartering air transport to deliver supplies. The earthquake was also felt in the East Timor capital Dili, 50kms southeast of Alor, prompting people to flee their homes. There were no casualties and no major damage to the half-island nation, but residents said a floating hotel in Dili's natural harbour was briefly grounded as waters receded after the quake. Aftershocks continued to be felt.

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Source:  World Health Organization (WHO)
Date: 18 Nov 2004

Indonesia  Earthquake Situation Report 16 Nov 2004

Area affected

The earthquake caused damages to buildings and cracks in Kalabahi city,

Most affected area was Bukapiting village, which is situated between the hills.

The road crossing Sibone Hill, connecting Kalabahi and Maritaing villages was cut off due to the landslide.

The quake had cause a tsunami which hit Maritaing beach, 98 kilometer north of Kalabahi village in Alor Timur and

near by islands including Pantar, Buaya, Pura, Ternate and Adonara island in Lembata regency and Selatan Daya

regency in Maluku province.

At least 22 houses were swept away and 649 others were damaged and 205 were seriously damaged. One

government building, 3 schools and 8 places of worship were destroyed or damaged.

There is no electricity in Alor.

No local business and routine activities seen in the affected area.

Normal planes cannot land, as there was a cracks in the runway of the local airport in Kalabahi city.

A floating hotel in Dili�s in East Timor natural harbor was briefly grounded as the quake caused water to recede and

after shocks were felt continuously.



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