An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.6 struck Indonesia’s eastern region on Tuesday, as reported by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake originated off Halmahera island in North Maluku province at 0948 GMT, with a depth of approximately 35 kilometers (22 miles). Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of damage or injuries following the seismic event.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre swiftly announced that there was “no tsunami threat” associated with the earthquake in the Molucca Sea. However, Indonesia’s geophysics agency (BMKG) cautioned residents in nearby areas to remain vigilant for possible aftershocks.
Indonesia, known for its seismic activity due to its location on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” frequently experiences earthquakes as tectonic plates collide. This geological phenomenon spans from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin, marking it as an area of intense seismic movements.
The recent quake serves as a reminder of Indonesia’s vulnerability to such natural disasters. In January 2021, a magnitude-6.2 earthquake in Sulawesi resulted in the tragic loss of over 100 lives and displaced thousands of individuals. Similarly, the devastating magnitude-7.5 quake and subsequent tsunami in Palu, Sulawesi, in 2018 claimed more than 2,200 lives. Indonesia’s history also includes the catastrophic 2004 magnitude-9.1 earthquake in Aceh province, which triggered a tsunami and led to the loss of over 170,000 lives across the country.
Sources By Agencies
