Tsunami warning lifted after 7.4 earthquake strikes Indonesia

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit Indonesia’s Molucca Sea on Thursday, causing moderate damage to buildings in areas such as Ternate and killing a 70-year-old woman with another person injured.

It had a depth of 35 km, with its epicentre at 127 km west-north-west of Ternate, said the United States (US) Geological Survey.

Strong tremors were felt for 10 to 20 seconds in Bitung and surrounding areas, according to Indonesia’s disaster management system. Some residents said it was one of the strongest quakes they have felt in years.

The US tsunami warning system alerted to the risk of dangerous tsunami waves for Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia, warning that waves reaching 0.3 metres to a metre were possible. Small tsunami waves measuring up to 30cm were recorded in the area, with waves of 5cm in the southern Philippines. After two hours, the warning was lifted.

This area of the Molucca Sea is prone to moderate to large earthquakes because of its location in the ‘ring of fire,’ an arc of volcanoes in the Pacific basin. Nine other earthquakes with a magnitude above seven have occurred over the past 50 years.

The authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant, especially for communities living along the coast, advising residents to avoid returning to beaches or coastal areas until they confirm there is no further threat.