On 13 October 1993, a shallow
earthquake registering 7.1 on the
Richter Scale occurred near Tauta in
the Finisterre Range of Papua New
Guinea (PNG) killing 37 people. The
aftershock series lasted three months
and resulted in considerable landslide
damage that destroyed villages, food
gardens and airstrips, and blocked
rivers causing catastrophic flooding.
These effects have irrevocably altered
the form of many of the valleys and
rivers draining into the Markham and
Ramu valleys.
The earthquake occurred in a
pilot study area for a landslide hazard
mapping project being carried out by
the PNG Geological Survey that commen-
ced in April 1993. Comparisons made
between areas identified as unstable
during the study with those damaged by
the earthquakes show good correlation.
It is concluded that aerial
photograph and Landsat TM imagery
interpretation can be used with a high
degree of confidence to identify
potential landslide hazards in mount-
ainous terrain. Landslide hazard maps
are promoted as a tool for use in the
route planning of roads and powerline
corridors, as well as for identifying
vulnerable communities.