Indonesian Waters Quake: A Wake-Up Call

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake rocked the Molucca Sea on Thursday morning, causing small tsunami waves and killing at least one person, according to officials. The US Geological Survey reported the quake's epicenter at a depth of 35 km, sparking tsunami waves less than half an hour later.

Recorded tsunami waves reached 8 inches in Bitung and a foot in West Halmahera, reported Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center noted 2-inch waves in the southern Philippines, evaluating no threat for more distant regions after three hours post-quake.

Officials reported strong shaking felt in Bitung and Ternate, with initial assessments showing moderate damage. A 70-year-old woman died in North Sulawesi's Minahasa district, with another resident injured. Residents were advised to keep away from coastlines until cleared by authorities, amid aftershocks lacking tsunami potential.