30 Jan 2021 | 05:51 AM UTC
Indonesia: Magnitude-5.3 offshore earthquake strikes in Seram Island, Maluku Province at around 1417 WIT Jan. 30
A magnitude-5.3 offshore earthquake occurs in Seram Island, Maluku Province, Indonesia, at 1417 WIT Jan. 30. No immediate reports of damage.
Event
A magnitude-5.3 earthquake occurred in Seram Island, Maluku Province, Indonesia, at around 1417 WIT Jan. 30. The epicenter was around 147 km (91 miles) east-northeast of Ambon. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and weak-to-light shaking was probably felt throughout Maluku Province's Seram Island and its surrounding islands, as well as West Papua Province's Misool Island. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Light aftershocks are possible over the coming days. The incident has not prompted any tsunami advisories.
Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.
Advice
Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions.
