Indonesia's BMKG Issues Tsunami Warning after 7.9M Earthquake in Maluku

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A tsunami warning was issued following a powerful earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter Scale that struck Maluku in the early hours of today, January 10, 2023, at 00:47 Western Indonesian Time (WIB). 

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) head of the quake and tsunami center, Daryono, said the north coast of Southwest Maluku was rocked by a tectonic quake which was updated to a magnitude of 7.5.

The epicenter was at 7.37° South Latitude and 130.23° East Longitude, or in the sea at 136 kilometers northwest of West Southeastern Maluku, and at a depth of 130 kilometers.

“By reviewing the epicenter and the hypocenter, the quake was an intermediate one caused by subduction activity in the Banda Sea,” said Daryono, adding that it had a thrust fault mechanism.

Hundreds of people reported feeling the strong earthquake via the agency’s social media. The shaking reportedly reached Timika, Merauke, and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

BMKG confirmed that the tremor was felt in Saumlaki with an intensity of V Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (MMI). Level V means it is felt by nearly everyone, many awakened, unstable objects are overturned, and pendulum clocks may stop.

The shaking was also felt in Dobo and Tiakur with an intensity of IV MMI; in Sorong, Kaimana, Alor, Waingapu, Waijelu, and Lembata with an intensity of III-IV; in Merauke, Nabire, Tanah Merah, Wamena, Bakunase, Kolhua, Sabu, Rote, Ende, South Amarasi and Kupang with an intensity of II-III MMI; as well as in Ambon and Piru with an intensity of II MMI. 

The tsunami warning was issued at the alert status of Siaga (Watch) in Central Maluku, Southeast Maluku Islands, West Southeast Maluku Yamdena Island, and Ambon City; and at the alert status of Waspada (Caution) in Southeast Maluku, eastern Seram, western Seram, Buru, Wakatobi, Kendari Watulumango Island, Kendari Islands, southern Konawe, Kendari City, and Kendari.

As of 02:37 WIB, BMKG detected three aftershocks at a magnitude of 5.5, 4.8, and 4.5.

Daryono thus asked people to keep calm and not be influenced by baseless issues and avoid cracked or damaged buildings caused by the strong earthquake.

MARIA FRANSISCA LAHUR

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