TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An earthquake measuring 6.1 in Richter scale on Sunday, December 21, 2014 at 08:34 Eastern Indonesian Time jolted the city of Ternate in North Maluku province.
Khairul Rizal, an official at Ternate Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said that the quake was centered 157 kilometers (98 miles) west of the town of Tobelo, which is on the island of Halmahera, the U.S. Geological Survey said. The quake had a depth of 55 kilometers (34 miles).
"The quake is not likely to generate Tsunami so the people do not have to panic,” Rizal said to Tempo on Sunday, December 21, 2014.
He also reported that the impact of the quake was felt by residents in West Halmahera, North Halmahera, Ternate city and North Sulawesi.
"The quake was also felt by those in Maluku islands. However, this quake is relatively safe,” Rizal said.
BUDHY NURGIANTO