Ternate Tsunami Warning Ends, BMKG Records Sea Level Rise up to 0.75 Metres
The Indonesian Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) has officially ended the early tsunami warning following a magnitude 7.6 earthquake that shook the Batang Dua Island area in Ternate, North Maluku, on Thursday (2/4) morning.
BMKG Head Teuku Faisal Fathani stated that the tsunami warning was lifted at 09:56 WIB after monitoring indicated relatively safe conditions. Nevertheless, BMKG recorded rises in sea levels in several areas affected by the Ternate earthquake.
“BMKG monitoring results show rises in sea levels in various regions, including 0.30 metres in West Halmahera and 0.20 metres in Bitung,” Faisal said in his statement in Jakarta on Thursday (2/4).
Sea level rises were also detected in Sidangoli (0.35 metres), North Minahasa (0.75 metres), Belang (0.68 metres), and Bumbulan (0.13 metres).
The earthquake, centred in the sea at a depth of 33 kilometres, was triggered by subduction activity in the Maluku Sea with an upward movement mechanism (thrust fault). The shaking was felt strongly in several areas in eastern Indonesia.
BMKG Deputy for Geophysics Nelly Florida revealed that the earthquake impacted at least three provinces: North Maluku, North Sulawesi, and Gorontalo.
In Ternate City, the vibrations reached intensity V–VI MMI, felt by the entire population, causing panic and minor damage to some buildings. In Manado, the earthquake intensity was recorded at IV–V MMI, while in Gorontalo, the vibrations were felt at a lower intensity of II–III MMI.
“Up to 09:50 WIB, BMKG monitoring shows 48 aftershock activities with the largest magnitude of M5.5,” Nelly said.
Acting Director of Earthquakes and Tsunami at BMKG Rahmat Triyono assured that the agency will deploy a team to conduct macroseismic and microseismic mapping, as well as install portable seismographs to monitor ongoing activities.
Several damages were reported, including at the KONI Sario Manado building and the Calvary Church on Batang Dua Island, Ternate.
BMKG urges the public to remain alert to the potential for aftershocks. Acting Director of Technical Seismology at BMKG A. Fachri Radjab asked residents to check building conditions before resuming activities.
“We urge the public to inspect building structures. If there are still cracks or damage, it is advisable not to enter immediately,” he said.
BMKG also reminds the public to stay calm and only access official information through BMKG’s communication channels.
BMKG deploys expert teams to North Maluku and North Sulawesi following the M7.6 earthquake. Focus on macroseismic damage mapping and risk mitigation for the 48 aftershocks that occurred.