Ambon Again Hit By 4.6-Magnitude Earthquake

Ambon, Maluku, Nov 2 (Antara) - Ambon and its surrounding areas were hit by an earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter Scale on Thursday at 12:16 a.m. local time, forcing local inhabitants to flee their homes and office buildings in panic.

The quake`s epicenter was located at 3.86 degrees southern latitude and 127.74 degrees eastern longitude, some 50 kilometers (km) west of Ambon City and at a depth of 10 km, according to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).

The tremors of Modified Mercalli Intensity II-III were felt by the local inhabitants.

Since Oct 31, a total of 90 tremors have hit Ambon. The earthquakes did not trigger a subsequent tsunami but caused mild destruction to several buildings, including several houses, Pattimura airport, and office buildings.

On Nov 1, an earthquake measuring 4.2 on the Richter Scale jolted Ambon, Maluku Province, at 1:56 a.m. Western Indonesian Standard Time (WIB).

The quake`s epicenter was located at 3.78 degrees southern latitude and 127.78 degrees eastern longitude, some 43 km west of Ambon, and at a depth of 10 km.

The city was earlier hit by an earthquake of the same magnitude on Tuesday at 9:55 p.m. WIB, the BMKG reported on its official website.

A series of earthquakes jolted Ambon City and Ambon Island on Tuesday evening, among others, having a magnitude of 5.7 on the Richter Scale at 8:31 p.m. local time, 5.6 on the Richter Scale at 8:34 p.m. local time, and at 6.2 on the Richter Scale at 8:50 p.m. local time.

The tremors did not trigger a tsunami, and there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage due to the natural disaster.

Indonesia lies between the Ring of Fire along the northeastern islands adjacent to and including New Guinea and the Alpide belt along the south and west from Sumatra, Java, Bali, Flores, and Timor.

The Ring of Fire is a major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.
(T.SYS/A/KR-BSR/F001) 02-11-2017 13:23:36