Image for 2006 Yogyakarta earthquake

2006 Yogyakarta earthquake

The 2006 Yogyakarta earthquake occurred on May 26, with a magnitude of 6.4, striking near Indonesia’s central Java region. It was caused by tectonic activity along the Sunda Megathrust fault, where the Australian and Eurasian plates meet. The quake’s focus was shallow, leading to intense shaking that damaged buildings, roads, and infrastructure, resulting in over 5,700 injuries and more than 5,000 homes destroyed. The disaster highlighted the region's seismic vulnerability, prompting increased focus on earthquake preparedness and resilient infrastructure to mitigate future risks.