2 weeks ago
7.7 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Indonesia's Flores Island, Tsunami Warning Issued
Early on Saturday morning, a very powerful earthquake happened under the ocean near an island in Indonesia called Flores.
Scientists from the US Geological Survey said the shaking was very strong, measuring 7.7 on a special scale.
The shaking started about 68 kilometres from a town called Ende, not very far under the ocean floor.
Right after the big shake, two smaller shakes happened nearby.
When big earthquakes happen under the ocean, they can push the water and make giant waves called tsunamis.
Because of that, scientists in Indonesia told people who live near the coast to move away from beaches and rivers and go to higher ground.
Some reports said buildings were damaged, and that the waiting room at a port in Maumere collapsed, while other reports said no damage had been confirmed yet.
So far, no one has been reported hurt.
Australia's warning centre said the earthquake would not cause a tsunami for Australia.
Indonesia has many earthquakes because it sits on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire,' where the ground is always moving.
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia's Flores island early Saturday, August 15, 2026, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).
The epicentre was about 68 kilometres (42 miles) north-northwest of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara province, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres.
Two strong aftershocks of magnitude 5.6 and 5.9 followed in the same area; EMSC recorded several aftershocks but reported a different time (4:58 am local / 2158 GMT) and depth (35 km).
Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued a tsunami warning for parts of East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi and Southeast Sulawesi provinces, urging residents to move away from beaches and riverbanks to higher ground.
Reports on damage differed: one account said multiple buildings and homes were destroyed, including the waiting room at the Pelni port terminal in Maumere, while another said no deaths or damage had been reported; Australia's tsunami warning centre said there was no tsunami threat to Australia.
- Who
- The US Geological Survey (USGS) located the quake, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) also recorded it, and Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued the tsunami warning; the event affected residents of Flores island, including a witness quoted in Sikka regency.
- What
- A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Flores island's north coast, followed by two strong aftershocks of magnitude 5.6 and 5.9, and triggered a tsunami warning; reports differed on building damage, and no casualties were reported.
- Where
- Off the north coast of Flores island in East Nusa Tenggara province, eastern Indonesia, about 68 kilometres (42 miles) north-northwest of Ende.
- When
- Early Saturday, August 15, 2026 (USGS reported 5:58 am local time; EMSC recorded 4:58 am local time / 2158 GMT).
- Why
- Indonesia lies on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire,' an arc of volcanoes and fault lines where several tectonic plates meet, making the country prone to frequent earthquakes.
Key facts
- Magnitude
- 7.7 (USGS)
- Epicentre
- About 68 km (42 miles) north-northwest of Ende, off Flores island's north coast, East Nusa Tenggara province
- Depth
- 10 km per USGS; 35 km per EMSC
- Time
- 5:58 am local per USGS; 4:58 am local / 2158 GMT per EMSC, Saturday, August 15, 2026
- Aftershocks
- Two strong aftershocks of magnitudes 5.6 and 5.9; EMSC reported several aftershocks
- Tsunami Warning
- BMKG warned of possible tsunami waves for parts of East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi and Southeast Sulawesi; residents told to move away from beaches and riverbanks to higher ground
- Damage and Casualties
- Reports differed: one cited destroyed buildings and homes, including a collapsed Pelni port terminal waiting room in Maumere; another said no deaths or damage had been reported; no casualties reported
- Tsunami Threat to Australia
- None, per Australia's tsunami warning centre
Quotes
Yohanna Embu
Resident of Sikka, a regency within East Nusa Tenggara province
“Many buildings here were damaged ... I saw that the waiting room at the Pelni port terminal in Maumere had collapsed.”
firstpost.com
Sources
7.7 magnitude earthquake rocks the off-coast of Indonesia, triggering a tsunami warning
7.7-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Indonesia's Flores Island, Tsunami Warning Issued
Magnitude 7.7 earthquake strikes Indonesia, tsunami warning issued
7.7 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Indonesia, Tsunami Warning Issued
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