photo-AFP
A 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck under the sea near Indonesia and East Timor early Tuesday, the US Geological Survey reported.
According to the survey, the source of the earthquake was 427 km south of the Indonesian island of Ambon at a depth of 95 km. Earthquakes were also reported in Timor, Maluku Archipelago and Papua Islands. But the agency did not report any damage or loss of life.
Hamdi, an Indonesian from Ambon, who witnessed the quake, told AFP: “I was in bed and felt a jolt. I jumped and got seven and my friends had the same experience. We were all very nervous and said Hamdi.
Then on the EMSC (European Mediterranean Seismological Center) website, someone in Dili, East Timor’s capital, reported a “very strong, prolonged earthquake”. In addition, the quake displaced light poles and residents of Tuvalu, a port in the Maluku archipelago. Posts and videos of the earthquake are circulating on Twitter and social media.
Sustained vigorous shaking here in #Darwin just now from what looks to be a pretty serious #earthquake to our north. Was probably the most aggressive quake I’ve felt here in many years ????#Darwinearthquake #TopEnd #Australia https://t.co/hBhVmV05Tb pic.twitter.com/JoUiVm8jXZ— Jason H (AU) ???????? (@OreboundImages) January 9, 2023
Indonesian agency Geofix issued a tsunami warning. But the warning was later withdrawn. Then the earthquake was also felt in Darwin, the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory.
Just experienced my first earthquake in Darwin. A 7.8 magnitude apparently. #darwinearthquake pic.twitter.com/cScmvfQUZO— Aussie Lobster (@Aussielobster) January 9, 2023