A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the Northern Molucca Sea off Indonesia’s Ternate island on Thursday, prompting tsunami warnings across parts of Southeast Asia, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The quake, initially reported at magnitude 7.8 before being revised downward, occurred at a depth of around 35 kilometres, with its epicentre located approximately 120 kilometres from Ternate in North Maluku province. Authorities reported no immediate casualties, though aftershocks measuring up to magnitude 5 were recorded.
Indonesia issued tsunami warnings for coastal areas in North Maluku and North Sulawesi provinces, while regional authorities urged residents in cities such as Ternate and Tidore to prepare for possible evacuation. Local media also reported minor structural damage in some areas.
Tsunami advisory agencies warned that hazardous waves could affect coastal regions within a 1,000-kilometre radius of the epicentre, including parts of Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia. Expected wave heights ranged from 0.3 to 1 metre in some Indonesian coastal zones, with smaller waves possible in surrounding countries.
Japan and other Pacific nations were also alerted to the possibility of minor sea-level fluctuations, though no significant damage was anticipated there.
Indonesia lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismically active zone where tectonic plate movements frequently trigger earthquakes and volcanic activity. Authorities continue to monitor the situation for further seismic activity and potential impacts.