Earthquake not caused by humans, says expert

By DAPHNE WANI
It is most unlikely that human activities can have any bearing on earthquakes and the aftershocks in the Highlands region, says an expert.
Professor of Geology at the University of PNG Hugh Davies said earthquakes and aftershocks originated at a much greater depth in the Earth’s crust.
He said human activities occurred at the top few kilometres of the Earth’s surface and those activities could not cause earthquakes.
He was responding to speculations on the cause of the 7.5 magnitude earthquake iun Hela, Southern Highlands, Western and Enga.
“Right now we need to be out there talking to the people, explaining what has happened, reassuring them, attending to their immediate needs – food, shelter and safe drinking water – recovering bodies, and reconstructing damaged roads, bridges and buildings,” he said. “The effort will need to be maintained for the long-term.
“I hope we in PNG and donor countries will give the disaster the attention it deserves, not only now but in the months ahead.”
Davies is an Honorary Professor in the Research School of Earth Sciences at the Australian National University in Canberra.
He said the earthquakes were caused by a plate convergence –two of the great plates that form the Earth’s surface competing for the same space.
“It is the same plate motion that caused the Aitape earthquake in 1998 and the Wewak earthquake in 2002,” he said.
“And it is the same motion that has caused the formation of the great mountain ranges that form the central spine of the island of New Guinea.
“Earthquakes of magnitude 7.5 earthquake in the central mountain chain, in the thrust belt, are not frequent, but have happened in the past.”