A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the Northern Molucca Sea off the coast of Ternate, Indonesia, on Thursday, resulting in at least one fatality and prompting a now-lifted tsunami warning.
Earthquake Details
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake occurred at a depth of 35km (22 miles), revised from an earlier estimate of 10km (six miles). The earthquake was initially recorded at a magnitude of 7.8.
The epicentre of the earthquake was approximately 120km (75 miles) from Ternate, located in Indonesia’s North Maluku province.
Tsunami Warning and Waves
The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) initially issued a warning, stating hazardous tsunami waves were possible within 1,000 kilometres (621 miles) of the epicentre, affecting the coasts of Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia.
Indonesia’s BMKG geological agency recorded waves up to 75 centimetres in North Minahasa and 20 centimetres in Bitung, both in the north of Sulawesi island. Thirty-centimetre waves were also logged in North Maluku province.
The PTWC lifted the tsunami warning just over two hours after the tremor, declaring the threat “has now passed”.
Impact and Response
Local authorities in cities including Ternate and Tidore were instructed to prepare citizens for potential evacuation. News channel Metro TV broadcast footage of damaged buildings.
One person died in the city of Manado in North Sulawesi province when a building collapsed. “The quake was felt strongly and around Manado … one person died and one person had a leg injury,” said George Leo Mercy Randang, a local search and rescue official, to AFP news agency. The victim was found “buried under the rubble”.
Indonesia is situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for high seismic activity due to the meeting of tectonic plates.
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