37 Aftershocks Strike NTT, Largest Measuring M 6.2

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has ended its tsunami early warning for East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) at 07.30 WIB. BMKG Director of Earthquakes and Tsunamis, Wijayanto, said that during two hours of observation, at least 37 aftershocks were detected.

“With a magnitude of 7.7, there will certainly still be many aftershocks that could last for days to weeks. However, this does not mean the public should panic, but rather remain alert,” Wijayanto said in an online press conference on Saturday (15/8/2026).

Wijayanto confirmed that the strength of the aftershocks will gradually weaken and diminish. The main cause of this earthquake is back-arc thrust fault activity with a maximum potential strength of up to magnitude 7.8.

“Because the main earthquake has already reached 7.7, the intensity of the aftershocks will decrease. Moreover, the tsunami early warning has been ended, and based on instrument records there is no longer any dangerous tsunami potential,” he continued.

Nevertheless, Wijayanto still urged the public to increase their vigilance, especially when near cracked or damaged buildings.

Previously, BMKG Deputy for Geophysics, Nelly Florida Riama, said that BMKG continues to monitor aftershock activity and sea level developments. Nelly confirmed that her agency will provide regular data updates to stakeholders and the wider public.

“At 07.30 WIB the tsunami early warning officially ended. We urge the public to remain calm and not be influenced by unaccountable rumours,” Nelly stressed.

She added that residents should avoid buildings with damaged structures due to the shaking as much as possible and anticipate potential aftershocks.

For information, the impact of the magnitude 7.7 earthquake is divided into several intensity scale levels:

VII MMI: Felt in Nagekeo Regency, Ngada Regency, and Mbay City. The shaking caused the majority of residents to rush out of their homes and triggered minor damage to building structures.

VI MMI: Felt in Wolowae (Nagekeo Regency) and Bajawa City, causing residents to be startled and run out of their homes.

V MMI: Felt in Borong and Ruteng cities, with strong enough shaking to wake residents from sleep.

The main earthquake occurred on Saturday (15/8/2026) at 04.58 WIB with a magnitude of 7.7. The epicentre was located at coordinates 8.35 South Latitude and 121.37 East Longitude, or about 36 kilometres northeast of Mbay, Nagekeo Regency, NTT, at a depth of 10 kilometres. A small tsunami wave of 0.3 metres was detected in Labuan Bajo and was reported to have appeared on the coast of Sikka.