Tectonic quake hits N. Maluku

Tectonic quake hits N. Maluku

TERNATE, North Maluku: A tectonic earthquake measuring 5.6 on
the Richter Scale rocked Ternate and Halmahera in North Maluku on
Sunday but there were no immediate reports available on damage or
fatalities.

Antara quoted the head of Ternate Meteorological and
Geophysics Agency Bambang on Monday as saying that the quake
centered on the district of Ibu island or some 96 kilometers
north east of Ternate at a depth of 33 kilometers.

The Sunday earthquake was recorded as the ninth tremor to
shake the province after the latest occurrence on May 3
registering 5.9 on the Richter Scale.

"Actually every day there is an earthquake here but most can
only be monitored through a seismograph," Bambang said.

Compared to other areas in the eastern Indonesia, the Maluku
and North Maluku waters are more prone to earthquakes. (emf)