2,519 Earthquakes Occur In Maluku Throughout 2021, And Once Caused A Tsunami Of 0.5 Meters

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AMBON - Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Class I Geophysics Station Ambon recorded 2,519 earthquakes and one tsunami in Maluku and its surroundings throughout 2021.

"Earthquakes that occurred in Maluku and its surroundings were dominated by earthquakes with a magnitude below 5.0," said Head of the BMKG Class 1 Ambon Geophysics Station, Herlambang Hudha, in Ambon, as reported by Antara, Monday, January 3.

He said there were 979 earthquakes with a magnitude of less than 3.0, and 1,483 earthquakes with a magnitude of 3.0-5.0.

He said that there were 57 earthquakes with a magnitude of more than 5.0.

The largest earthquake magnitude that occurred in 2021 was 7.3 which occurred in Southwest Maluku on December 29, 2021.

Based on the depth, the earthquakes that occurred in the Maluku region were dominated by shallow earthquakes. There were 1,762 earthquakes with a depth of less than 60 km.

Earthquakes with a medium depth (60-300 km) were 683 and 74 earthquakes with a depth of more than 300 km.

Based on reports from relevant agencies and the public, there were 98 earthquakes felt throughout 2021. Among these destructive earthquakes there was an earthquake in Tehoru with a magnitude of 6.1 on June 16, 2021, which caused an avalanche and triggered a tsunami with a height of 0.5 meters in Tehoru, Haya, Mahu and Saunulu.

In addition, destructive earthquakes were also felt in Sawai V MMI, OH IV MMI, Ambon, Masohi, Saparua III MMI with a magnitude of 5.7 at a depth of 12 km on November 4, 2021.

A destructive earthquake was also felt at Damer IV MMI with a magnitude of 5.6 at a depth of 23 km on 11 December 2021.

And in Labuha IV MMI on February 26, 2021 with a magnitude of 5.2 and a depth of 10 km.