Indonesia Issues Tsunami Warning after 7.1 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes in Molucca sea

A tsunami warning has been issued in Indonesia following a 7.1-magnitude earthquake.

The quake struck in the Molucca sea between the islands of Sulawesi and North Maluku at a depth of 10 kilometres, according to Indonesia’s geophysics agency, the Independent said.

Waves of half a metre (1.6 feet) are predicted for the nearest coastlines.

It caused panic in the city of Ternate, where people ran to higher ground.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

 The US Geological Survey measured it at magnitude 6.9 quake, centred 185 kilometres (114.8 miles) southeast of Manado, at a depth of 24 kilometers (15 miles).

Indonesia is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire.

A powerful Indian Ocean quake and tsunami in 2004 killed a total of 230,000 people in a dozen countries, most of them in Indonesia.

Last month the coast of Indonesia was hit by a 7.3-magnitude earthquake.

There were no reports of any damage or injuries as a result of the earthquake, and Indonesia’s geophysics agency said it did not cause a tsunami.

H.M