2 weeks ago
Indonesia 7.7-magnitude quake kills 20, triggers tsunami warning
A big earthquake hit the island of Flores in Indonesia.
It was so strong that it measured 7.7 on the earthquake scale.
The shaking happened very early in the morning, around 5 o'clock.
At least 20 people lost their lives, and rescuers worry the number could grow.
The earthquake happened close to the ground and near towns, so the shaking was extra strong.
It knocked down buildings and caused landslides that blocked roads.
The shaking also cut off power and made it hard for people to communicate.
Leaders worried a huge wave, called a tsunami, might follow, and they told people to move to safe places.
A wave did come, but it was small — less than one metre — so the warning was lifted a few hours later.
About 2,000 people had to leave their homes to stay safe.
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off northern Flores Island, Indonesia, on Saturday, 15 August, killing at least 20 people.
The quake struck at about 4:58 a.m. local time, with a shallow 15 km-deep epicentre about 30 km northeast of Mbay in Nagekeo.
The earthquake occurred on the unusual Flores back-arc thrust, a fault capable of generating powerful quakes close to populated areas.
A tsunami warning covering parts of East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara and South Sulawesi was lifted about three hours later after waves peaked at 0.94 metre.
About 2,000 people were evacuated in Nagekeo, landslides blocked roads, and the death toll could rise as rescuers reach areas closer to the epicentre.
- Who
- Residents of Flores Island, Indonesia — at least 20 people were killed in Maumere — plus rescuers still searching for two people trapped under rubble.
- What
- A magnitude 7.7 earthquake on the Flores back-arc thrust killed at least 20 people, triggered a tsunami warning, and caused severe shaking, building collapses and landslides.
- Where
- Off northern Flores Island, Indonesia, with the epicentre about 30 km northeast of Mbay in Nagekeo; shaking was felt across East and West Nusa Tenggara and parts of South Sulawesi.
- When
- Saturday, 15 August, at about 4:58 a.m. local time.
- Why
- The shallow, large-magnitude rupture occurred on the Flores back-arc thrust, a fault close to populated areas that can produce powerful earthquakes; this time the tsunami threat proved minor, with waves below one metre.
Key facts
- Magnitude
- 7.7
- Fault
- Flores back-arc thrust (Flores Thrust)
- Depth
- 15 km
- Epicentre
- About 30 km northeast of Mbay, Nagekeo, northern Flores
- Time
- About 4:58 a.m. local time, Saturday 15 August
- Confirmed deaths
- At least 20 in Maumere; toll could rise
- Tsunami waves
- Below one metre; maximum 0.94 m at Maurole; warning lifted after about 3 hours
- Evacuations
- About 2,000 people in Nagekeo
Sources
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