6.6 magnitude earthquake strikes off western Indonesia
A powerful 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck off the western coast of Indonesia’s Sumatra Island early Thursday, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).
The offshore tremor occurred at 4:56 am local time, with its epicenter located about 45 kilometres west-northwest of Sinabang, a town on the eastern side of Simeulue Island. The quake struck at a depth of 25.4 kilometres, a range considered shallow and typically capable of generating stronger surface shaking.
Indonesian authorities and local disaster response teams said no damage or casualties had been reported as of publication time. Residents in Simeulue and nearby areas said they felt the ground shake briefly, but there were no immediate signs of structural harm or disruptions to essential services.
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) confirmed that the quake did not trigger a tsunami warning. However, officials urged coastal communities to remain alert, noting that the region is prone to aftershocks.
The quake struck in one of the most seismically active zones on Earth. Indonesia sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where several tectonic plates meet, causing frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Sumatra has experienced some of the country’s most devastating quakes, including the 2004 magnitude-9.1 earthquake that triggered a catastrophic tsunami across the Indian Ocean.
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