Powerful earthquake strikes Molucca Sea near Indonesia
Powerful Earthquake Strikes Molucca Sea Near Indonesia
A significant 7.4-magnitude earthquake shook eastern Indonesia, causing concerns about a potential tsunami. Initial warnings were issued but have since been rescinded.
Location and Seismic Details
The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake occurred in the Northern Molucca Sea, off the coast of Ternate, Indonesia, early Thursday. The tremor was centered approximately 127 kilometers west of Ternate, at a depth of 35 kilometers.
The event prompted tsunami alerts for Indonesia, along with neighboring nations such as the Philippines and Malaysia, as the US monitoring center warned of potential “hazardous tsunami waves” within 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) of the epicenter.
Following the main quake, the USGS noted aftershocks reaching up to 5.0 magnitude. Indonesia’s meteorology agency, BMKG, observed tsunami waves measuring 30 centimeters in the North Maluku province and 20 centimeters in Bitung, northeastern Sulawesi.
Indonesian broadcaster Metro TV disclosed that one individual was killed by collapsing debris in the Manado region, with footage revealing structural damage to buildings.
Indonesia straddles the Pacific Ring of Fire, a tectonic zone with intense seismic and volcanic activity.