Cause of the Devastating M 7.7 Earthquake in NTT, BMKG's Explanation

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - BMKG has announced that the tsunami early warning triggered by a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of M 7.7 in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) has ended. Nevertheless, Deputy for Geophysics at BMKG Nelly Florida Riama said that as of 07:07 WIB, 37 aftershocks had already been recorded.

Director of Earthquakes and Tsunamis at BMKG Wijayanto revealed that a major earthquake of this kind in the NTT region last occurred around 30 years ago. BMKG will continue to monitor sea levels at BMKG monitoring stations.

“This earthquake occurred due to the Flores northern back-arc thrust fault. An earthquake with a magnitude of M 7.7 has a maximum potential magnitude of M 7.8-7.9. An earthquake of this size last occurred in 1992, with a magnitude of M 7.5,” said Wijayanto during a BMKG press conference via Zoom on Saturday (15/7/2026).

“Hopefully the aftershocks will continue to diminish. We have ended the tsunami early warning. We consider that all our recorded results show no tsunami heights that pose a danger,” he added.

Although the tsunami early warning has ended, BMKG has urged the public to avoid buildings that are cracked or damaged due to the earthquake, and to remain alert for aftershocks that are still occurring.

“Remain calm and do not be influenced by issues whose truth cannot be accounted for!”

BMKG will continue to inform the public that the warning has ended, but will continue to provide sea level information.