7.7 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Indonesia, Tsunami Warning Issued After Strong Tremors

Indonesia: The earth trembled in Indonesia on Saturday morning. People got scared due to the strong tremors in the sea and there was chaos at many places.

When and where did the earthquake occur?

According to Indonesia's Geophysics Agency BMKG, the earthquake occurred at 4:58 am on Saturday. Its epicenter was in the ocean near the Flores area of East Nusa Tenggara province. The depth from the ground is said to be around 10 to 15 kilometres. After the main shock, continuous aftershocks were felt in the area. The European-Mediterranean Seismological Center EMSC also recorded several smaller tremors. Agencies have asked people to remain alert for the next few hours.

Why was the tsunami warning issued?

Because the epicenter of the earthquake was under the sea, there was a danger of sea disturbance. In view of this, BMKG issued an early tsunami warning for some coastal areas of Indonesia. People were appealed to stay away from beaches and low-lying areas. After some time, officials said that no major change in sea level was observed. After this the major danger of tsunami was averted. However, there is also news of small waves at some places.

Was Australia also affected?

Australia's Tsunami Warning Agency said that there is no threat to the Australian mainland or its islands from this earthquake. The situation there is completely normal and no warning was issued.

Was there any loss of life or property?

The complete figure of the loss was not revealed in the initial hours. According to later reports, at least two people have died and several are injured. Cracks have appeared in houses and buildings in some villages in the Flores region. Due to fear, many people left their homes and went to higher places. Some hospitals shifted patients out as a precautionary measure. The local administration is currently taking stock of the damage and relief work has been started.

Why do earthquakes occur frequently in Indonesia?

Indonesia is one of the most earthquake prone countries in the world. The reason for this is that it is situated on the 'Ring of Fire'. This area is spread around the Pacific Ocean where many tectonic plates meet. Earthquakes and volcanoes often occur here due to the collision of plates. The Flores area is also considered very sensitive from the seismic point of view. A series of aftershocks is common after a major earthquake. Therefore, monitoring is still going on and people have been advised to take precautions.