Since When Have Indonesia Been “Ring‑of‑Fire‑Struck”?
Just like a rock‑star with a giant hammer, the earth punched hard on December 14, slamming down a 7.5‑magnitude quake in eastern Indonesia. The meteorological department sent out a tsunami warning, but folks haven’t reported any casualties or major damage yet.
First Live‑Stream: “Everyone ran out to the street”
Agustinus Florianus, a friendly resident of Maumere on Flores Island, told Reuters, “Everyone ran out into the street.” In a rush‑to‑survive type move, people tore out of their homes and stretched the distance to feel the tremor. The quake landed 112 km northwest of Larantuka, casting a shallow 12‑km depth feather across the rocks below.
Tsunami Alerts Take the Group
- Maluku
- East Nusa Tenggara
- West Nusa Tenggara
- Southeast & South Sulawesi
Thanks to the US Geological Survey, the rating was tweaked to 7.3. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center flagged a potential hazardous swell for any coast within 1,000 km (621 mi) from the epicenter – so keep your popcorn handy.
Second Wave: Aftershock Hit Larantuka
A 5.6‑magnitude aftershock rattled the area after the first quake. Alfons Hada Betan, head of the East Flores Disaster Mitigation agency, said no damage reports had come in yet. People were still feeling that vibrating feeling for a few minutes before finally leaning back at home.
Social Media Power
On TikTok, Twitter, everywhere, folks in Makassar, South Sulawesi, said they felt it too. The tremor had a ripple effect that spread like a bad viral meme.
Invoking the “Ring of Fire”
Below the planet’s surface, Indonesia sits astride the Pacific Ring of Fire – where tectonic plates collide, crush, and send out waves of fury. Think of it as a giant jigsaw that keeps dropping heavy stones onto the continent.
Not Just One Disaster
Remember December 4? Mount Semeru on Java erupted, killing 48 and injuring hundreds. Now, this quake adds another chapter to the saga of seismic drama. Witnessed by a stunned world, Indonesia continues to test our resilience.
