Tual, Indonesia – A powerful magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Tual, Indonesia, early Tuesday morning. The tremor occurred in the Banda Sea, a region prone to significant seismic activity. No immediate reports of damage or injuries have emerged from the remote area.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake hit at 5:49:57 UTC (2:49 PM Monday CDT) at a depth of 65.7 kilometers (approximately 40.8 miles). Its epicenter was located about 179 kilometers (111 miles) west-southwest of Tual, a city in the Maluku province.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has indicated that there is no tsunami threat to the region following this earthquake. Deeper earthquakes typically pose less of a tsunami risk compared to shallower ones, as the energy is dissipated over a larger area. Residents in coastal areas should remain vigilant for any localized effects, although none are currently anticipated.
This event is not uncommon for Indonesia, which sits on the “Ring of Fire,” an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin where most of the world’s earthquakes occur. While strong, the depth of this particular quake likely mitigated its surface impact.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation, but no further advisories or warnings are expected regarding this seismic event.
