M6.8 earthquake hits Banda Sea at intermediate depth, Indonesia
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.8 hit the Banda Sea, Indonesia at 13:53 UTC on May 6, 2020. The agency is reporting a depth of 107 km (66.5 miles). EMSC is reporting it as M6.9 at a depth of 112 km (69 miles).
The epicenter was located 345 km (214 miles) WSW of Tual, Indonesia and 369 km (229 miles) ENE of Lospalos, Timor Leste.
There are about 1 000 people living within 100 km (62 miles).
29 000 people are estimated to have felt moderate shaking and 160 000 light.
The USGS issued a green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are unreinforced brick with concrete floor and precast concrete frame with wall construction.
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Regional seismicity
Featured image credit: TW/SAM, Google
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