A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia’s Banda Sea on Wednesday, as reported by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of damage or casualties from the quake, which was initially reported as a magnitude 6.9. The earthquake occurred at 11:53 am local time (0453 GMT), and no tsunami warning was issued.
The tremor was moderately felt in the town of Saumlaki in the Tanimbar Islands, part of the Indonesian archipelago, according to the Indonesian Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG). Residents in Saumlaki remained calm and unpanicked, with Lambert Tatang, a 41-year-old resident, mentioning that they are accustomed to earthquakes. Upon learning that there was no tsunami threat, they resumed their normal lives.
Indonesia is prone to frequent earthquakes due to its location along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an area characterized by high seismic activity stretching from Japan through Southeast Asia to the Pacific basin. Notably, the country has experienced devastating earthquakes and tsunamis in the past, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and monitoring in the region.
