Indonesia’s idyllic resort island of Bali and various parts of the country were jolted awake early Tuesday by a potent earthquake and two robust aftershocks. The series of seismic events triggered panic, but as of now, no immediate reports of damage or casualties have emerged.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake registered a preliminary magnitude of 7.1. Its epicenter lay in the Bali Sea, situated around 181 kilometers (112 miles) northeast of Gili Air, a small island adjacent to Lombok Island and Bali’s coastline. The quake struck at a considerable depth of 513.5 kilometers (319 miles).
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency swiftly responded, reassuring the public that while a tsunami threat did not exist, vigilance against aftershocks was necessary. The agency’s initial assessment pegged the quake’s magnitude at 7.4, yet such variations in early measurements are not uncommon.
The main shock was trailed by two aftershocks, measuring magnitudes 5.4 and 5.6, which reverberated through the Bali Sea a few minutes later, just before dawn.
Frightened residents and tourists quickly vacated their homes and hotels, seeking refuge at higher altitudes following the forceful tremors. However, a sense of calm was reinstated once text messages spread, confirming that the earthquake held no potential to trigger a tsunami.
The seismic waves extended their reach to neighboring provinces like East Java, Central Java, West Nusa Tenggara, and East Nusa Tenggara. During those disconcerting moments, houses and buildings swayed noticeably, evoking a sense of panic among the locals.
Indonesia, home to a vast archipelago housing around 270 million people, is frequently besieged by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis. This vulnerability can be attributed to its location on the “Ring of Fire,” a crescent-shaped expanse characterized by volcanic activity and tectonic faults encircling the Pacific Ocean.
Recalling past events, a 2021 earthquake in the hilly Karangasem region triggered landslides that isolated three villages and claimed three lives. Another substantial earthquake in the preceding year, measuring magnitude 5.6, resulted in the deaths of at least 331 individuals and injuries to nearly 600 in Cianjur city, West Java. This incident marked Indonesia’s deadliest earthquake since the 2018 Sulawesi quake and tsunami, which claimed approximately 4,340 lives.
The catastrophic Indian Ocean earthquake in 2004 is etched in history, as it set off a colossal tsunami that claimed the lives of over 230,000 people across a dozen countries, with a significant portion of the fatalities occurring in Indonesia’s Aceh province.