Tsunami warning for Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia after Maluku Sea quake

Lead

A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the northern Maluku Sea off Indonesia's Ternate island on Thursday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), triggering tsunami warnings for neighbouring Southeast Asian nations.

The quake struck at a depth of 35 kilometres (22 miles), the agency said, with an epicentre about 120 kilometres (75 miles) from Ternate, the historic spice island in North Maluku province. An earlier USGS report had listed the depth at 10 kilometres, a figure later revised.

Tsunami warnings were issued for coastal areas within 1,000 kilometres (621 miles) of the epicentre, including parts of Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia, according to the US Tsunami Warning System.

Coverage comparison

Reporting on the event has been consistent across international outlets, with most relying on USGS data for the quake's magnitude and location. ABC Australia and The Guardian emphasised Indonesia's seismic history, noting its position on the "Ring of Fire." Al Jazeera focused on the immediate tsunami warning for nearby islands, while the South China Morning Post highlighted the absence of immediate injury reports and noted aftershocks reaching magnitude 5.

Depth estimates varied in early reports: Al Jazeera initially cited 10km, while later reports from ABC Australia, The Guardian and the South China Morning Post cited 35km, reflecting the USGS's updated assessment.

Key claims

• The magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the northern Maluku Sea, with its epicentre approximately 120km from Ternate, according to multiple outlets citing the USGS.
• Tsunami warnings were issued for coastal areas within 1,000km of the epicentre, affecting Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia, per the US Tsunami Warning System as reported by several sources.
• The earthquake's depth was revised from an initial 10km to 35km, according to the USGS, a detail noted by The Guardian and the South China Morning Post.
• No immediate injuries were reported, as stated by the South China Morning Post, a claim not yet independently confirmed by other sources reviewed.
• Aftershocks of magnitude up to 5 were recorded, according to the South China Morning Post, based on USGS data.
• Tsunami waves of 0.3 to 1 metre above tide level were possible for some Indonesian coastline areas, as forecast by the US Tsunami Warning System and reported by The Guardian.

Perspectives

Indonesia's vulnerability to seismic events is well-documented. As ABC Australia and The Guardian noted, the country lies on the "Ring of Fire," an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin. This context is critical for understanding the potential impact. The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, which killed more than 230,000 people across a dozen countries, and the 2018 Sulawesi disaster that claimed over 4,300 lives, remain stark reminders of the region's risks.

Local reactions described panic but limited structural damage. An Agence France-Presse journalist in Manado, North Sulawesi, told of residents rushing outdoors as shaking persisted, but he reported no significant damage. In Ternate, resident Budi Nurgianto described being inside his home when the tremor struck, sending people fleeing outside, as quoted in the South China Morning Post.

Regional authorities in cities such as Ternate and Tidore were urged to prepare citizens for evacuation, while Metro TV broadcast images of damaged buildings, according to the South China Morning Post.

International monitoring agencies offered varied assessments. Japan's meteorological agency anticipated "slight sea level changes" but no tsunami damage, while Australia's bureau of meteorology said there was no threat to its mainland, islands or territories, as reported by The Guardian.

As of the latest reports, the situation remains under assessment, with authorities monitoring for aftershocks and potential tsunami waves.