A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia, triggering a brief tsunami warning and causing structural damage across multiple islands, according to reports by the Associated Press and Adressa.no.
Indonesia Earthquake Magnitude and Epicenter Details
The earthquake struck early Saturday morning local time, according to the Associated Press. The epicenter was located 68 kilometers north-northwest of the city of Ende in the Tenggara province, according to initial reports. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) noted that the tremor occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers, generating several aftershocks, including a 6.1-magnitude tremor.
According to Adressa.no, the shaking was strong enough to be felt on other islands, including Sulawesi and the popular tourist destination Bali. Indonesia lies along parts of the so-called Ring of Fire, an area with much seismic activity that surrounds the Pacific Ocean.
Buildings Collapsed and Casualties Reported
Local infrastructure sustained impacts from the tremors. Footage from the scene showed the collapse of the port building in Maumere on Flores Island. Yohanna Embu, a resident of the affected Sikka region, told the Associated Press that she witnessed the waiting room at the Maumere port terminal collapse.
Initial updates from officials confirmed that two people died as a result of the disaster, according to Adressa.no. Hospital workers also reported structural failures indoors. Lukas Lotar, who works with customer service at a hospital in the area, told Adressa.no that the sudden shaking caused panic and left visible cracks in some of the walls.
Tsunami Warning Issued and Later Lifted
Authorities issued a tsunami warning following the initial shock, prompting coastal residents to move to higher ground, as reported by Adressa.no. Monitoring stations recorded tsunami waves measuring between 19 and 30 centimeters in certain areas before the warning was later withdrawn.
Did you know? Indonesia lies along parts of the so-called Ring of Fire, an area with much seismic activity that surrounds the Pacific Ocean.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the epicenter of the Indonesia earthquake?
The epicenter was located 68 kilometers north-northwest of the city of Ende in Indonesia’s Tenggara province, according to the Associated Press.
Were there any tsunami waves recorded?
Yes, tsunamis measuring between 19 and 30 centimeters were registered in certain areas before the warning was lifted, according to Adressa.no.
How deep was the earthquake?
The tremor occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers, according to data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) cited by Adressa.no.
Were there any casualties?
A government official confirmed that two people died hours after the earthquake struck, according to Adressa.no.
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