A 7. 4-magnitude earthquake struck off Ternate in the Northern Molucca Sea, causing building damage and killing at least one person in the affected region. indonesia earthquake today prompted tsunami warnings for Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia that were lifted roughly two hours after the tremor. The United States Geological Survey recorded the quake and later revised earlier readings that briefly listed the event at magnitude 7. 8.
Indonesia Earthquake Today: Impact and measurements
The United States Geological Survey registered the main shock at magnitude 7. 4 and said the quake occurred at a depth of 35km. The epicentre was located about 120km from the city of Ternate in North Maluku province. The quake was initially logged at magnitude 7. 8 before the revised figure.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued an initial regional tsunami alert, warning of possible hazardous waves within 1, 000 kilometres of the epicentre along the coasts of Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia; that warning was lifted just over two hours after the seismic event. Indonesia’s meteorology agency BMKG recorded sea-level disturbances at multiple locations: waves of up to 0. 75 metres in North Minahasa, about 0. 20 metres in Bitung, and 0. 30 metres in parts of North Maluku.
Local authorities reported shaking that lasted 10 to 20 seconds in coastal cities, and the national disaster management agency BNPB noted initial assessments of minor to moderate structural damage in some areas. Aftershocks were monitored in the hours following the main shock, with several recorded and one aftershock measured at magnitude 5. 5.
Immediate Reactions
Eyewitnesses and hospital staff described chaotic evacuations. Admini, a 69-year-old patient at Siloam Hospital in Manado, recounted the scramble to safety: “We were sitting there drinking tea… [Initially we] didn’t realise it was an earthquake. And then we heard a child scream, ‘Come down, hurry up. ’ And we immediately looked for the emergency stairs to go downstairs. ” Hospital personnel established makeshift treatment areas outdoors and inside vehicles after cracks and possible serious structural damage were noted.
George Leo Mercy Randang, a local search and rescue official, said the quake was felt strongly around Manado and reported casualties: “The quake was felt strongly and around Manado … one person died and one person had a leg injury, ” he said, noting at least one person had been buried under rubble when a building collapsed. A BNPB spokesperson urged continued vigilance: “At this stage, caution is still required, particularly for communities living along the coast, ” and warned residents not to return to beaches or coastal areas until authorities confirm it is safe.
Quick Context and What’s Next
Indonesia lies in a seismically active region and authorities moved quickly to track wave activity and structural damage after the 5: 48 PM ET quake. Emergency teams are conducting damage assessments in Ternate, Manado and surrounding districts while monitoring for additional aftershocks and coastal sea-level changes recorded by BMKG.
Officials have lifted the tsunami warning for now, but rescue and assessment operations will continue and residents are urged to follow local evacuation orders and official updates as teams work to confirm the full scale of damage and any further risks from indonesia earthquake today.
