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Vanuatu: Earthquake/Tsunami - Nov 1999

Disaster description

An earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter Scale was recorded at 00:21hrs local time on Saturday 1999 (Friday, 26 November 1999, 13:21 GMT) to the south-west of the Vanuatan island of Pentecost. The earthquake was centered at latitude 16.4 South and longitude 168.2 East. The island, which has a population of about 12,000 and is about 63 km long and 12 km wide, was the worst hit area. The earthquake was followed within fifteen minutes by a tsunami that swept ashore at Marteli Bay on the southern tip of the island. The tidal wave reportedly reached about 2 kilometres into the bush. The earthquake was felt in Port Vila, 450 km to the south. Minor damage has also occurred on the islands of Ambrym, Malekula and Epi. [...] The effects of the earthquake across Pentecost appear to be relatively localised. Eight fatalities have been reported; five persons died when their house collapsed in the central village of Ena; three others died after being swept out to sea by the tsunami. A further two are missing. About 40 serious injuries were also reported, particularly at Ena village, Melsisi Mission, Ranwadi High School, and the nearby areas. [...] The tsunami at Marteli Bay has flattened all low-lying structures including the brick schoolhouse, leaving only the church still standing. It destroyed the piped water supply, caused loss of all public and private possessions in the community including 7 boats and 4 generators, and covered gardens in silt. [...] Pentecost's already pre-existing access problems are now significantly worsened due to landslides. Several slopes are clearly unstable, posing a threat in the next heavy rainfall to people directly in their path, and cutting access to essential services for many more. Water supply has also been affected, as wells have caved in, water catchments affected, and some water tanks were toppled, though these should be capable of repair. (OCHA, 30 Nov 1999)

Aftershocks to the 27 November earthquake have continued to affect Penama Province in the northeast of Vanuatu. Significant landslides have occurred not only on Pentecost, but also on Ambrym, Paama and Epi Islands, where damage to houses, roads, and water supply systems, has been reported. The confirmed death toll is ten. Five were killed at Ena Village in the earthquake, and five in the tsunami at Martelli Bay at Southern Pentecost. [...] The major secondary threat is that posed by the volcano on Ambrym Island (population: 9,000). During the earthquake its two cones, Marum and Benbow, ejected their crater lakes down dry gullies. New fissures have developed on the flanks of the mountainous peninsula to the north, and the volcano now displays signs of heightened activity. Villagers are reportedly on the move, but no details are yet available. (OCHA, 9 Dec 1999)

On Pentecost Island, villagers are currently relocating 6km inland from Bay Martelli (population 270), to mitigate the threat of future tsunami, and from St. Henrie (population 2-300) on the southeast coast, because of the risk of landslide. Inhabitants of other villages in the centre, south and east, remain afraid of landslides precipitated by further tremors, and have not yet resumed gardening. On Ambrym Island the village of Konkon in the northeast (population 120) has evacuated and will relocate due to the threat of mudslides from the peak above. An aftershock on 13 December 1999 caused land-slips which damaged food gardens belonging to the villages of Fancever, Linpul, Ranon, Ranvetlam,and Vanlap. On Paama Island, the main concern is that ground-shaking will have damaged root-crops, reducing the yield of these crops for up to 6 months. Although the earthquake caused a large uplift (80cm) of Southeastern Ambrym and land subsidence and the appearance of substantial cracks in the north, scientific investigation has revealed these cracks to be land-slips, and that continuing tremors are seismic rather than volcanic. The risk of volcanic eruption is reported to be no greater than normal. However, the land uplift has exposed the reef platform to the air, causing it to dry out and die, and it has lowered the water table, which may lead to water shortages in future. [...] Assistance has been provided to many communities on Pentecost, notably Bay Barrie, Bay Martelli, Enkul, Enna, Levetlis and Tsintete, Melsisi, Narua, Point Cross, Ranwas, St. Henrie and Tanbok. Some food has been supplied to Paama Island, and food and bags of assorted clothing have gone to communities in North and Southeast Ambrym. Further substantial relief is unlikely to be provided, as the focus is shifting to recovery. The relief coordination and distribution base established at Lonoror airstrip in East Pentecost, was scaled back from 16 police personnel and 12 provincial/local government staff on 15 December. (OCHA, 21 Dec 1999)

One month after the earthquake that struck Pentecost, Ambrym and Paama Islands, widespread landslides have affected Paama, a small 9 km by 4 km island with a population of 1,606. The earthquake of 27 November 1999 had caused large land-slips and wide cracks in hillsides across the island. These generated further slips after heavy rain on the night of 26 December. No one is reported missing or injured. Whilst the earthquake destroyed 92 houses and affected almost all households on Paama, damage from the recent landslides is reported to be concentrated in the northern half of the island. Mudflows 2-4m deep have damaged houses, schools and small shops, and buried food gardens, water catchment systems, wells and other water sources. Nearly all roads linking the villages are blocked in places, and though access on foot has been re-established, many paths are unsafe due to the risk of further slides. There is only one telephone line still in service for the entire island. In Liro village the kindergarten was destroyed, two teachers' houses, the island's junior secondary school and health centre were all damaged, including having their wells buried in mud. The school requires urgent attention before the beginning of term. In Luli and Lulep the water supply system is destroyed. [...] The mudflows have blocked existing water-courses, causing water to pool and providing breeding areas for mosquitoes carrying malaria and dengue fever. Other water-borne disease outbreaks remain a possibility whilst access to potable water sources is restricted. More landslides during heavy rainfall are anticipated, with further effects on housing, agricultural production and access. The site of the telecommunications repeater station is very vulnerable, and the next rain could wash the whole system into the valley below. (OCHA, 6 Jan 2000)

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