Situm

Situm is located {{convert|20|km}} north-east of Lae, on The Bukawa-Finchaffen National Highway Road across the Busu river and over the Bupu River causeway. It is {{convert|170|m}} above sea level.

{{See also|List of earthquakes in Papua New Guinea}}

The area around Situm is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire and geologic instability has produced numerous faults, resulting in earthquakes.{{cite web|last=USGS|title=Seismic Hazard Map|url=https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/world/png/seismicity.php|access-date=28 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100728225225/http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/world/png/seismicity.php|archive-date=28 July 2010}}{{cite web|last=Earthquake Track|title=Recent Earthquake Near New Guinea, Papua New Guinea|url=http://earthquaketrack.com/r/new-guinea-papua-new-guinea/recent|access-date=28 February 2014}} Situm sits between the larger Indo-Australian Plate and the Pacific Plate on the South Bismarck Plate in the Ramu-Markham Fault Zone where the New Guinea Highlands Deforming Zone and South Bismarck tectonic plates are converging at up to {{convert|50|mm}}/yr and the seismic hazard is significant.{{cite web|last=43rd Association of Surveyors PNG Congress, Lae|title=Lae, a City caught between two plates – 15 years of Deformation Measurements with GPS|url=http://www.quickclose.com.au/LaeDeformation.pdf|work=Focus On Challenges; Society-Space-Surveyors|access-date=28 February 2014 |author2=Richard Stanaway |author3=Laura Wallace |author-link3=Laura Wallace (scientist) |author4=Zebedee Sombo |author5=Johnson Peter |author6=Trevor Palusi |author7=Ben Safomea |author8=John Nathan|date=12–15 August 2009}}

The Ramu-Markham Fault Zone, which follows the northern edge of the Markham Valley, is the active plate boundary between the South Bismarck Plate and terranes within the New Guinea Highlands Deforming Zone. The Ramu-Markham Fault Zone has generated large thrust earthquakes (e.g. the 6 April 1999 MW 6.4, {{convert|16|km}} north of Lae, near Hobu, and the 22 November 2007 MW 6.8, {{convert|110|km}} north of Lae). Geological evidence suggests that major earthquakes in pre-historic times have occurred in this area,{{cite journal|last=Crook|first=Keith A.W.|title=Quaternary uplift rates at a plate boundary, Lae urban area, Papua New Guinea|journal=Tectonophysics|date=June 1989|volume=163|issue=1–2|pages=105–118|doi=10.1016/0040-1951(89)90121-2|bibcode=1989Tectp.163..105C|url=http://www.quickclose.com.au/LaeDeformation.pdf|access-date=28 February 2014}} and that there is the potential for another large earthquake to occur anytime within the next 100 years.{{cite journal|author1=Ripper, I.D. |author2=Anton, L. |name-list-style=amp |title=Seismic hazard, Lae|journal=Papua New Guinea Geological Survey Report|year=1987|volume=95/2}}

Situm is the location of a geodetic monitoring site which aims to monitor the tectonic motion of Papua New Guinea.Australia National University [http://rses.anu.edu.au/geodynamics/gps/png/index.html] accessed 7 February 2014 The site ID is 'SITU' and is monitored by the Geodynamics group and the University of California.Australia National University [http://rses.anu.edu.au/geodynamics/gps/png/site_info/situ.htm] accessed 7 February 2014

Situm is located to the north of the beaches where the Australian 7th Division carried out an amphibious landing in September 1943, as part of plans to capture Lae from the Japanese during the Salamaua–Lae campaign. During that campaign and the subsequent advance into the Finisterre Range, the locals assisted the Allied troops and after the war, the Australian 7th Division AIF Association helped construct a school at Situm in 1964 as a thank you.[http://www.rotarylae.org/2013/05/05/7th-infantry-division-returns-to-situm/ 7th Infantry Division returns to Situm] accessed 7 February 2014

Before the establishment of the Situm and Gobari settlements, the area was covered in rainforest and patches of Kunai grass. At the beginning of field research in 1968, Situm consisted of 22 blocks. Among the Situm settlers there were 16 block holders Ploeg, A. 1971, The Situm and Gobari ex-servicemen's settlements, New Guinea Research Bulletin, Issue 39, Volumes 35-40, Australian National University involved in cattle {{cite book|title=New Guinea Research Bulletin|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zC88AAAAMAAJ|access-date=7 March 2014|year=1975|publisher=Australian National University, New Guinea Research Unit|page=15|isbn = 978-0-85818-029-1}} and pig production.{{cite book|title=New Guinea Research Unit Bulletin|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1c8VAAAAIAAJ|access-date=7 March 2014|year=1971|page=78}} Settlers also harvest coconuts from plantations.{{cite book|author=Bob Densley|title=Agriculture in the Economy: A Series of Review Papers|year=1979|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6QdGAAAAYAAJ|access-date=7 March 2014|publisher=Department of Primary Industry, Papua New Guinea|page=6}}

Rainfall in Situm has been recorded at 4000mm per year.{{cite book|title=Papua New Guinea Agricultural Journal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yta7AAAAIAAJ|access-date=7 March 2014|year=1980|publisher=Department of Primary Industry.|page=52}}

{{wide image|7thDiv.jpg|1000px|Panoramic photo of Situm Community. Health centre on right and 7th Australian Division Memorial School on left}}

In October 2013, a Health Foundation team has conducted a three-day workshop in Situm ex-servicemen block, which attracted a total of 63 participants (30 females and 33 males) and allowed women and men to learn about sexual health issues and strengthen their relationship.{{cite news|last=Fontanellaz|first=Olga|title=Tokaut na Tokstret training in Situm village|url=http://www.oilsearchhealthfoundation.org/2013/11/22/tokaut-na-tokstret-training-in-situm-village/|access-date=7 March 2014|date=22 Nov 2013}}

In July 2013, the Rotary Club of Lae delivered a 5KVA generator to Situm School, and four Tuffa Tanks to the Situm Medical Centre and plumbing hardware to the Situm Health Centre.{{cite news|last=Rotary Club of Lae|title=Donations to Situm|date=July 14, 2013}}

In 2009, the World Health Organization reported cholera cases in the ex-servicemen block of Situm. In Morobe Province settlements of East Taraka, Uniblock, Nawae Block, Salamander Tais, 12 Mile, Bumayong, Tanam, 6 Mile, 1 Mile, Talair Compound and 2nd street were affected.{{cite news|author1=Mirriam Lukas |author2=Geraldine Gubuli Dwu |name-list-style=amp |title=NEW CHOLERA OUTBREAK IN PNG'S MOROBE PROVINCE|url=http://pidp.org/archive/2011/January/01-31-12.htm|access-date=7 March 2014|newspaper=PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT|date=Jan 28, 2011}} This is the first confirmed cholera outbreak since the 1960s and PNG officials fear it will further burden their struggling health system.{{cite news|title=Cholera outbreak kills 11 in PNG|url=http://www.theage.com.au/world/cholera-outbreak-kills-11-in-png-20090907-fdro.html#ixzz2vFzutGPE|access-date=7 March 2014|newspaper=The Age|date=September 7, 2009}} The prevalence of enteric diseases remains high in PNG where access to safe drinking water is limited, particularly in rural areas where an estimated 87% of the population lives.{{cite journal|last=Horwood|first=Paul|author2=Collins, Deirdre |author3=Jonduo, Marinjho |author4=Rosewell, Alexander |author5=Dutta, Samir |author6=Dagina, Rosheila |author7=Ropa, Berry |author8=Siba, Peter |author9= Greenhill, Andrew |title=Clonal Origins of Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor Strains, Papua New Guinea, 2009–2011|journal=Emerging Infectious Diseases|date=November 2011|volume=17|issue=11|pages=2063–5|doi=10.3201/eid1711.110782|pmid=22099099 |pmc=3310576}}

Situm women are producing dried banana chips for production as a popular snack.{{cite book|author=Sheila Lewenhak|title=The Revaluation of Women's Work|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zWP7AQAAQBAJ&pg=PA114|access-date=7 March 2014|date=5 November 2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-04930-1|page=113}}{{cite book|title=Appropriate Technology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gF6QAAAAIAAJ|access-date=7 March 2014|year=1984|publisher=Intermediate Technology Publications.|page=28}}

In the 1940s Taro Leaf Blight caused by Phytophthora colocasiae was estimated to cause up to 50% loss in production. In 1993, a National Taro breeding program, with the focus on breeding Taro varieties resistant varieties, commenced.{{cite journal|author=Singh, D |author2=Guaf, J |author3=Okpul, T |author4=Wiles, G |author5=Hunter, D |title=Taro (Colocasia esculenta) variety release recommendations for Papua New Guinea based on multi-location trials|journal=New Zealand Journal of Crop & Horticultural Science|year=2006|volume=34|issue=2|pages=163–171|doi=10.1080/01140671.2006.9514402|s2cid=84190935|doi-access=free}}

By 2000 Situm farmers had given up planting Taro (Colocasia esculenta Schott) because of taro beetles from the genera Papuana and Eucopidocaulus.{{cite journal|last=Masamdu|first=Roy|author2=Nelson Simbiken |title=Effect of Taro Beetles on Taro Production in PNG|journal=Food Security for Papua New Guinea|date=26–30 June 2000|series=Proceedings of the Papua New Guinea Food and Nutrition 2000 Conference, PNG University of Technology, Lae|page=752|url=http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/bitstream/135368/2/PR099.pdf#page=766|access-date=7 March 2014|editor1-last=R.M. Bourke, M.G. Allen and J.G. Salisbury}}

The Situm Primary School has been described as one of the best fishing or outdoors adventure locations in the regions of Asia/Pacific.{{cite web|last=My Fish Maps|title=Situm Primary School|url=http://www.myfishmaps.com/intl-fishing-maps/Papua_New_Guinea/fishing-Man-Made_Structure0_Outpost/School/Morobe/Situm_Primary_School/|access-date=7 March 2014}}

{{wide image|Situmschool1.jpg|800px|7th Australian Division Memorial School, Situm}}

In 2004, three members from Situm formed a band called Lungstar of Morobe and have had their debut album recorded and released with the A20 Productions Studio of Barakau.{{cite web|last=CHM Supersound|title=Lungstar of Morobe|url=http://www.chmsupersound.com/index.php?option=com_mtree&task=viewlink&link_id=810&Itemid=0|access-date=7 March 2014}}

In May 2008, Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG leader, the late Bishop Doctor Wesley Kigasung, was laid to rest at his Aluki village in Bukawa, Morobe province. What was described as one of the most-moving scenes, Situm primary school, children sang a touching tribute to Dr Kigasung which brought tears to the eyes of those in the motorcade.{{cite news|last=Malum Nalu|title=Bishop Rev Dr Wesley Kigasung is laid to rest|url=http://malumnalu.blogspot.com.au/2009/05/bishop-rev-dr-wesley-kigasung-is-laid.html|access-date=7 March 2014|newspaper=Malum Nalu|date=May 14, 2009}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Notelist}}

• [http://rses.anu.edu.au/geodynamics/gps/png/site_info/situm25.jpg PNG/Pacific GPS Project Map]

{{Lae}}

Category:Suburbs of Lae

Category:Populated places in Morobe Province