The arrows show displacement of GeoNet continuous GPS sites used to detect the slow-motion earthquake. This model shows the amount of movement on the Hikurangi Subduction Zone since mid-September this year, in centimetres. Now scientists are watching a third event – this time on the other side of the North Island. Two have already occurred this year: one that caused a flurry of small quakes as it played out over a fortnight near Pōrangahau in May, and another near Gisborne a month later, that was linked to a 4.2 shake in the area. Lasting from days to years, slow slip quakes can produce up to tens of centimetres of displacement along faults – all without being felt, and sometimes without seismologists even realising it. Over the past two decades, scientists have come to understand "slow-slip" earthquakes as a common and important feature of the Hikurangi Subduction Zone – the enormous plate boundary that New Zealand straddles. Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.Another silent, slow-burning earthquake is unfolding beneath New Zealand – and it could keep rolling on for months to come. The last major earthquake was in January, a magnitude 6.2 that killed at least 105 people and injured nearly 6,500 in West Sulawesi province. Indonesia, a vast archipelago of 270 million people, is frequently struck by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis because of its location on the “Ring of Fire,” an arc of volcanoes and fault lines that arcs the Pacific. He added that residents had joined a tsunami drill before and they know what to do. “We asked people in the coastal areas to get away from the beach lines, especially in the northern side … as there was a big tsunami there back in 1972,” Hayon said. The chief of Flores Timur district, Anton Hayon, said no damage was reported. But it is very possible there’ll be aftershocks, hopefully not stronger than before,” Karnawati said. “The earlier earthquake no longer has a tsunami potential. Muhari said that based on sea level observations, minor tsunamis of 7 centimeters (2.8 inches) were detected in Marapokot and Reo areas.ĭwikorita Karnawati, head of Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency, said people along the coastlines on the northern side of Flores should be aware of further quakes and a potential tsunami. The disaster mitigation agency reported hundreds of buildings, including houses, schools and places of worships, were damaged in the Selayar Islands. The shocks were also felt in Makassar city and the Selayar Islands area in South Sulawesi province, across the Flores Sea. The shocks were felt in 14 districts and cities across the provinces of East Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi and Southeast Sulawesi.
One person was reported injured in East Nusa Tenggara province. Footage showed people running away from buildings that shook from the impact. National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said residents in East Flores district felt the earthquake strongly. Geological Survey, the quake hit at a depth of 18.5 kilometers (11.5 miles) under the sea, and was located 112 kilometers (74 miles) north of the town of Maumere, the second-largest on the island in East Nusa Tenggara province with a population of 85,000.Īfter an initial tsunami alert, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii and later Indonesia’s meteorological agency lifted the warning hours after the quake. JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - Indonesia lifted a tsunami alert Tuesday following a magnitude 7.3 undersea earthquake that struck off Flores Island, triggering panic in a region prone to fatal quakes but apparently causing no major damage or casualties.Īccording to the U.S. Indonesia lifts tsunami alert after powerful undersea quakeBy EDNA TARIGANAssociated PressThe Associated PressJAKARTA, Indonesia