Strong M6.1 earthquake hits Molucca Sea, Indonesia

A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit the Molucca Sea, Indonesia at 10:09 UTC on June 3, 2021. The agency is reporting a depth of 31.2 km (10.4 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 40 km (24.8 miles).

The epicenter was located 127.5 km (79 miles) WSW of Ternate, North Maluku, and 194 km (121 miles) SE of Tondano, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

There are about 800 people living within 100 km (62 miles).

141 000 people are estimated to have felt light shaking.

Image credit: TW/SAM, Google

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.

Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking

Selected cities exposed

Regional seismicity

Featured image credit: TW/SAM, Google