A 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia’s eastern North Maluku province. The tremor occurred at 4:03 a.m. local time, with its epicenter located 121 kilometers southwest of the Loloda sub-district in North Halmahera Regency, at a depth of 42 kilometers beneath the seafloor.
Residents in nearby areas, including Ternate City and West Halmahera Regency, reported feeling the tremors at intensity levels II to III on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale. The neighboring province of North Sulawesi, encompassing cities like Manado and Bitung, also experienced similar shaking.
A 4.9 magnitude aftershock followed at 4:31 a.m. local time. Despite the seismic activity, authorities have not reported any casualties or significant damage to infrastructure. No tsunami warning was issued, as the earthquake lacked the potential to generate large waves.
Indonesia’s geographical position along the Pacific Ring of Fire—a region characterized by frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions—renders it highly susceptible to seismic events. This latest earthquake underscores the ongoing geological volatility faced by the archipelagic nation.