Residents in parts of eastern Indonesia felt the ground shake on Tuesday evening after a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck off the coast of Papua.
Despite the strength of the tremor, authorities confirmed there was no tsunami threat, and so far, no reports of injuries or damage have come in.
Where and When It Happened
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quake hit at around 5:24 p.m. local time (0824 GMT), with its epicentre located about 193 kilometres northwest of Abepura in Papua.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center quickly confirmed that the tremor would not generate dangerous waves.
Initially, the quake’s magnitude was reported as 6.5, but USGS later revised it down to 6.3.
Indonesia’s Earthquake-Prone Location
Indonesia is no stranger to earthquakes. The country sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” — a horseshoe-shaped zone where multiple tectonic plates collide, causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity.
This positioning means quakes, both small and large, are a regular part of life across the archipelago.
Past Devastating Earthquakes
While Tuesday’s quake appears to have caused no significant damage, Indonesia has a tragic history with major seismic disasters.
In January 2021, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake on Sulawesi claimed more than 100 lives and left thousands without homes.
In 2018, Sulawesi was also hit by a massive 7.5 magnitude quake followed by a tsunami, killing over 2,200 people.
And in 2004, a catastrophic 9.1 magnitude earthquake off Aceh triggered a tsunami that devastated coastal communities, killing more than 170,000 people in Indonesia alone.
That disaster also took the lives of around 230,000 people across 11 countries and displaced over two million.
Monitoring the Situation
For now, officials will continue to monitor the region for aftershocks, but the absence of a tsunami warning and early damage reports is offering relief to residents.
This remains a developing story, and updates are expected as more information comes in.