A powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck northern Sumatra in Indonesia on Saturday, according to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ). The agency said the earthquake occurred at a depth of 175 km.
The earthquake struck only hours after a major 7.7-magnitude quake hit eastern Indonesia early on Saturday, killing at least 38 people. The shallow earthquake, which occurred at a depth of 15 km, generated numerous aftershocks and led authorities to issue a tsunami warning that was lifted roughly three hours later.
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) reported that tsunami waves measuring less than one metre were observed in several locations following the quake.
RESIDENTS FORCED TO EVACUATE
The powerful tremor triggered landslides, disrupted electricity supplies and affected communications. Rescue operations were also hampered as debris blocked roads leading to some of the hardest-hit areas.
Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency said approximately 2,000 people had been evacuated to temporary shelters.
Rescue workers were also searching for two villagers who were believed to have been trapped beneath a landslide caused by the earthquake. Videos circulating on social media showed damaged buildings, clouds of dust and residents fleeing their homes as intense shaking struck the area.
Residents spoke of widespread panic following the earthquake. Nona, a 51-year-old resident of Talibura, described the tremor as extremely powerful, telling Reuters that 13 family members were inside their home and all of them ran outside to safety.
EARTHQUAKE CAUSE DETECTED
BMKG said in a post on X that the earthquake was caused by plate subduction involving an oblique normal fault mechanism.
The agency said the earthquake did not have tsunami potential and that tremors were felt as far away as West Sumatra and Padang.
Authorities also noted that the region had previously experienced a 7.5-magnitude earthquake in 1992, which caused extensive destruction.
Australia’s Tsunami Warning Centre said the undersea earthquake posed no tsunami threat to mainland Australia or its islands and territories.
Indonesia lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the most seismically active zones on Earth. The convergence of several tectonic plates makes the country particularly vulnerable to earthquakes and volcanic activity.
