Tsunami Warning Issued After 7.3 Earthquake Rocks Indonesia

A tsunami warning has been issued in nearby areas after a massive earthquake hit parts of Indonesia early Saturday morning. According to ABC News, the earthquake measured 7.3 on the Richter scale, making it one of the strongest earthquakes to hit the region in recent times. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the epicenter of this latest earthquake in Indonesia was around 154 kilometers (96 miles) northwest of the region of Kota Ternate at a depth of 47 kilometers (29 miles).

Considering the severity of the earthquake and the area where it happened, a tsunami warning has been issued. Agencies say that the earthquake has the potential to create large tsunami waves along the nearby coasts. As of now, there have been no reports of any casualties due to the earthquake.

According to a statement issued by The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, the earthquake is strong enough to generate hazardous tsunami waves within 300 kilometers (186 miles) of the epicenter. The areas that are likely to be affected by these potential tsunami waves are the coastal areas of Indonesia and areas of southern Philippines. The statement adds that the height of these tsunami waves could reach over a meter. The communities of Tabukan Tengah on the North Sulawesi island are located the closest to the epicenter of the earthquake, and are at immediate risk if the tsunami does occur, the agency said.

If the earthquake does create a tsunami, its effects are likely to be felt in faraway Japan – in the southern Okinawa Island of the country. Other areas that could potentially see the effects of the tsunami include the U.S. territory of Guam, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean. It could take up to six hours for the tsunami to reach these places.

Indonesia is a group of islands located on what is known as the very active Pacific Ring of Fire, and is very prone to high intensity earthquakes. There are several active volcanoes in this region as well. Indonesia was very badly affected in the 2004 earthquake, when a strong earthquake hit the Banda Aceh province in the country. It generated massive tsunami waves across south and south-east Asia, resulting in the deaths of over 230,000 people across several countries. It remains to date one of the most destructive natural calamities in modern times.

[Image Via Tsunami Laboratory]