A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck Yogyakarta, Java in 2006, killing over 5,700 people and causing $3.1 billion in damage, amplified by volcanic soil and poor construction.
Key Facts
- Moment Magnitude
- 6.4
- Death Toll
- More than 5,700 deaths
- Financial Losses
- Rp 29.1 trillion (~$3.1 billion)
- Max MSK Intensity
- VIII (Damaging)
- Date & Local Time
- 27 May 2006, 05:53 local time
- Fault Type
- Strike-slip
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The earthquake originated on a strike-slip fault on the southern coast of Java near Yogyakarta. Unconsolidated volcanic debris deposited by Mount Merapi's historical lahars blanketed local settlements, amplifying ground shaking and promoting soil liquefaction. Widespread use of unreinforced masonry with poor-quality materials made buildings highly vulnerable to even moderate seismic forces.
On 27 May 2006 at 05:53 local time, a moment magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck the Yogyakarta region of Java, Indonesia, reaching a maximum MSK intensity of VIII (Damaging). The event was a strike-slip rupture distinct from the large thrust earthquakes typical of the nearby Sunda Trench, and it caused severe shaking across densely populated residential and commercial areas.
More than 5,700 people were killed and tens of thousands injured, with financial losses estimated at $3.1 billion. Housing and private businesses sustained the bulk of damage, while the 9th-century Prambanan Hindu temple compound was also affected. The U.S. National Geophysical Data Center classified total damage as extreme, though public infrastructure and lifelines suffered comparatively limited harm.
Human Cost
Each dot represents approximately 10,000 deaths. Total estimated: 5,700 (earthquake)