A powerful earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale struck eastern Indonesia late on Saturday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The tremor occurred at 14:58 GMT, with its epicenter located about 244 kilometers (151 miles) north-northwest of the town of Tobelo in North Maluku province, near the northern tip of Halmahera Island.
The quake was initially recorded at magnitude 6.7, before being revised to 6.5 and finally to 6.4. It struck at a depth of approximately 52 kilometers (32 miles), which likely helped reduce its impact on the surface.
So far, there have been no reports of casualties or significant damage. Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) confirmed that the earthquake did not pose a tsunami threat. However, authorities urged residents in the affected areas to remain vigilant and prepared for possible aftershocks.
Indonesia lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” one of the most seismically active regions in the world, where the movement of tectonic plates frequently triggers strong earthquakes and volcanic activity. Emergency services continue to monitor the situation as assessments of any potential damage are underway.
