2 weeks ago
Two dead after magnitude 7.7 earthquake strikes off Indonesia
Early on a Saturday morning, a very big earthquake happened in the ocean near Indonesia.
The earthquake was so strong that it measured 7.7 on the special scale scientists use.
It shook the ground for about one minute in some places, and many people ran out of their homes to be safe.
Sadly, at least two people lost their lives because of the earthquake, and one person was hurt.
At a port in a town called Maumere, part of a building came crashing down into dust and rubble.
Scientists worried the quake might cause huge ocean waves called a tsunami, so they warned people to be careful.
Some small waves, less than one metre tall, were seen in a few areas.
After about three hours, the tsunami warning was removed because the danger had passed.
A hospital moved its patients outside to keep them safe, and at least one landslide was reported.
Rescue and safety efforts are underway to help people in the affected areas.
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake and dozens of aftershocks struck off eastern Indonesia early Saturday, killing at least two people.
One person was injured in Sikka Regency, according to the disaster mitigation agency BNPB.
Tsunami waves of less than 1 metre were recorded in several areas, and the tsunami warning was lifted about three hours after the quake.
Strong shaking was felt across East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara and parts of South Sulawesi, with some residents reporting shaking lasting about a minute.
A building collapsed into dust and rubble at a port in Maumere on Flores Island, a hospital in Ende was moving patients outside, and at least one landslide was reported.
- Who
- Residents of eastern Indonesia, particularly in Sikka Regency on Flores Island, along with disaster agencies BNPB and BMKG.
- What
- A magnitude 7.7 undersea earthquake with dozens of aftershocks struck the region, killing at least two people, injuring one, and briefly triggering a tsunami warning.
- Where
- Off eastern Indonesia; shaking was felt across East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara and parts of South Sulawesi.
- When
- Early Saturday, Aug 15, at 4:58 a.m. local time (2158 GMT).
- Why
- The deadly quake was an undersea seismic event that caused collapsed buildings, evacuations and tsunami warnings; the articles do not specify the underlying tectonic cause.
Key facts
- Magnitude
- 7.7
- Depth
- 15 km (9 miles)
- Time of quake
- 4:58 a.m. local (2158 GMT)
- Deaths
- At least 2
- Injured
- At least 1, in Sikka Regency
- Tsunami waves recorded
- Less than 1 metre (3 feet) in several areas
- Tsunami warning lifted
- About 3 hours after the quake
- Aftershocks
- Dozens
- Affected regions
- East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, parts of South Sulawesi











