The 1982 Flores earthquake struck the island of Flores in Indonesia on December 25. Registering a magnitude of 5.9, according to the United States Geological Survey,[nb 1] it created landslides and was reportedly accompanied by a tsunami. The earthquake killed thirteen people and left 390 injured, also destroying 1,875 houses[1] and 121 other buildings.[2] The villages of Layahong and Oyong Barang were damaged in particular.[3]
Preliminary reports put the death toll at 4 and the injury count at 49. The shaking lasted seven seconds, and had a reported magnitude of 6.3.[3]
The Lesser Sunda Islands lie in a region with frequent seismicity, and there is a history of tsunamis in the area. Both the subduction of the Australian Plate and the crust in the Flores Sea could be responsible for this activity.[4]
The five most affected districts were evacuated of 6,000 people. The local and regional governments were petitioned for supplies like tents, medicine, and food.[2]
The earthquake was followed by several aftershocks.[2]
In 1992, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the island. It was the deadliest earthquake of the year, killing roughly 2,500 people.[5]
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