Indonesia, M7.3 Earthquake in Bitung (North Sulawesi)

OVERVIEW: On 2 April at 0548 HRS UTC+7, a M7.3 earthquake (corrected from M7.6) at a depth of 18 km occurred offshore near Bitung, North Sulawesi. The earthquake generated a potential tsunami threat, and a warning was issued by BMKG.

as of 2 April2100H UTC+7, monitoring results from BMKG Indonesia indicate a total of 233 aftershocks, with the largest magnitude recorded at M5.8.

2. AFFECTED AREAS:
According to BNPB, impacts and damages have been reported in the following areas:
- North Sulawesi (Bitung, Minahasa, Manado)
- North Maluku (Ternate, Tidore Kepulauan, Halmahera Barat, Halmahera Tengah, Halmahera Utara, Halmahera Selatan)

Additionally, BMKG reported that tsunami waves have been observed based on sea level monitoring, as follows:
- Belang: 0.68 m
- Bitung: 0.2 m
- Bumbulan: 0.13 m
- Gita: 0.24 m
- Halmahera Barat: 0.3 m
- Kedi: 0.2 m
- Minahasa Utara: 0.75 m
- Sidangoli: 0.35 m
- Sitaro: 0.19 m