With COVID-19 continuing to have a significant impact on our lives, especially with the emergence of the Omicron variant, it feels like the least the universe could do would be to put all other natural disasters on hold.
But, as we’ve seen during the pandemic, this is highly unlikely.
Just this year alone, earthquakes of varying severity have hit five countries, including Haiti, Pakistan, Mexico, and Peru.
The last country on that list, Indonesia, has already suffered two earthquakes this year, one of which was severe.
And believe it or not, yet another earthquake has rattled the country.
7.3-Magnitude Earthquake Just Struck Indonesia & That Could Potentially Cause Tsunamis
Eastern Indonesia was shaken by a 7.3-magnitude earthquake today (14 Dec) at around 3:20am GMT.
It’s unclear if resulted in any casualties or damage.
The quake struck in the Flores Sea, about 112 km northwest of the town of Larantuka at a depth of 12km. After the initial quake, an aftershock of 5.6 magnitude struck Larantuka.
Netizens living in Makassar and South Sulawesi revealed on social media that they too had felt the quake. Some had fled their homes.
And it could get even worse.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre warned that “hazardous waves are possible for coasts located within 1,000km of the quake epicentre”.
Tsunami warnings were later issued for the areas of Maluku, East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, and Southeast and South Sulawesi.
People living in those areas have been advised to stay away from beaches.
108 Killed in East Java Earthquake in Jan
In Jan this year, another earthquake struck Indonesia, this time in the province of West Sulawesi.
It had a magnitude of around 6.2, and a depth of 18km.
It caused widespread damage throughout the province and was felt as far away as Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi.
More than 6,000 structures were damaged in the region, and 108 people lost their lives. Another 3,300 were injured and thousands more residents were displaced.
Just a few months later, a 6.1-magnitude earthquake shook the south coast of eastern Java. At least 10 died in the quake, with another 104 seriously injured.
The unfortunate fact is that Indonesia is prone to earthquakes because it’s on the Ring of Fire – a region around much of the rim of the Pacific Ocean where many volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur.
This seismically active region stretches from Japan and Indonesia all the way across to California and South America.
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Featured Image: USGS