A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia's Ternate island on Thursday, killing one person and damaging buildings. The quake, which occurred at a depth of 35km, prompted a regional tsunami warning that was later lifted.
The United States Geological Survey reported the epicentre was 127km west-north-west of Ternate, in North Maluku province. The US tsunami warning system initially warned of hazardous waves up to 1 metre above tide level along coasts of Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia, but the threat passed after about two hours.
Strong shaking lasting 10 to 20 seconds was felt in Bitung and Ternate cities. Tsunami waves were recorded at five locations, the highest at 0.75 metres in North Minahasa, North Sulawesi. A 70-year-old woman died in North Sulawesi's Minahasa district, and another person was injured.
Indonesia's disaster management agency reported minor to moderate damage to buildings in Ternate, including a damaged church and two houses. In Bitung, damage assessments continued. The quake was initially recorded at magnitude 7.8.
Japan's meteorological agency noted possible slight sea level changes but no tsunami damage. The Philippines and Australia confirmed no tsunami threat to their territories. An AFP journalist in Manado described residents rushing outdoors as shaking persisted for a "quite long" period.
Indonesia, located on the Pacific "ring of fire", is prone to earthquakes. The country experienced a deadly 5.6 magnitude quake in 2022 killing 602, and a 2004 Indian Ocean quake and tsunami that killed over 230,000 people in the region.
