Indonesia: tsunami warning lifted after large earthquake
November 14, 2019
An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 was recorded on Thursday off the coast of an Indonesian island, with a short-range tsunami warning briefly issued in response. Its epicenter was more than 100 kilometers offshore.
A large earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia on Thursday. Initial measurements put its magnitude at 7.1, at a depth of 45.1 kilometers (28 miles).
The quake was recorded at 16:17 UTC/GMT, 11:17 p.m. local time, with its epicenter in the Molucca Sea 138 kilometers northwest of Ternate island, Indonesia, according to the US Geological Survey.
Indonesian authorities lifted a tsunami warning about two hours from when it was issued in the aftermath of the earthquake.
The warning was for a relatively small 300-kilometer radius around the epicenter.
No significant increase in sea levels
The Indonesian Meteorology, Climate and Geophysics agency (BMKG) announced early on Friday (local time) that it was lifting the tsunami warning.
BMKG previously announced the tsunami warning, however most of the officials working at Indonesian geological agencies predicted only a small rise in sea levels.
"Most likely a tsunami won't hit the land, but we still need to be on alert," Rahmat Triyono, a senior official at BMKG told the local Kompas TV.
Residents felt the quake "very strongly" and left their homes for higher ground, according to Indonesian Metro TV news broadcaster.
The most devastating tsunamis tend to occur on the Pacific coast following earthquakes. Here are some of the worst of the past 20 years in pictures.
Image: BNPB
Indonesia, 2018
On December 22, 2018, the small Indonesian volcano Anak Krakatau erupted, causing a tsunami in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Sumatra and Java. More than 200 people were killed, according to initial estimates, and more than 800 injured. Anak Krakatau is a small volcanic island that emerged after the devastating 1883 eruption of Indonesia's well-known Krakatoa volcano.
Image: BNPB
New Zealand, 2016
The 2016 Kaikoura earthquake was the second-worst in the country's post-colonial history. Ruptures occured along multiple fault lines, prompting about 20,000 aftershocks and a 7-meter (22-foot) tsunami. Two people were killed and dozens injured.
Image: Imago/Xinhua/L. Huizi
Japan, 2011
The 2011 Japanese tsunami was triggered by a massive underwater earthquake. Waves reached up to 40.5 meters (133 feet) high. The disaster killed some 16,000 people and injured thousands more, as well as destroying homes and communities. It also caused the meltdown of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/S. Tomizawa
Chile, 2010
Chile is earthquake-prone, and indeed a 1960 earthquake there is still the strongest ever recorded. In February 2010, an 8.8-magnitude tremor prompted tsunami warnings as far away as Japan and Russia. A wave of several tsunamis hit the Chilean coast, added to the damage that left at least 525 people dead.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Hernandez
Solomon Islands, 2007
In April 2007, an earthquake struck the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. At least 52 people were killed when a 12-meter (40-foot) tsunami completely washed away two villages. Around 900 homes were destroyed, as well as a hospital.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/F. Robichon
Indian Ocean, 2004
This picture from a beach in Thailand shows just a fraction of the devastation caused by the massive earthquake and 30-meter (120-foot) tsunami that came on December 26, 2004. Fourteen countries were affected, and about 230,000 people lost their lives. The earthquake is the third-largest ever recorded.
