Shallow M6.2 earthquake hits Banda Sea, Indonesia

A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the BMKG as M6.2 hit Banda Sea, Indonesia at 20:45 UTC on November 10, 2023 (03:45 LT, November 11), at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). The USGS is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 10.7 km (6.6 miles). This is most likely another aftershock of the M7.2 quake that hit the same region at 04:52 UTC on November 8.

The epicenter was located 301 km (187 miles) W of Tual (population 89 999), and 340 km (211 miles) SSE of Amahai (population 47 653), Maluku, Indonesia.

4 000 people are estimated to have felt light shaking and 75 000 weak.

This earthquake has no tsunami potential, BMKG said.

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.

The USGS has registered a total of 49 M4+ earthquakes in this region of the Banda Sea since October 12. These include M7.2 (BMKG) / M7.1 (USGS), two M6.7 quakes on November 8 and M6.1 on November 10.

Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking

Regional seismicity

Featured image credit: TW/SAM, Google