A powerful earthquake struck under the water surrounding Indonesia, prompting a tsunami warning which encompasses hundreds of the country’s 17,000 islands.
Indonesian officials issued the tsunami warning for coastal areas after the earthquake occurred in the Molucca Sea, which is located between the islands of Sulawesi and Maluku. The warning has since expired and there is no tsunami threat at this time.
The United States Geological Survey stated that the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.9, while officials from Indonesia stated that the earthquake was slightly stronger with a magnitude of 7.1.
The tsunami warning was in effect for the eastern coast of North Sulawesi and the western coast of North Maluku. Latest projections are for a tsunami of 0.5 of a meter (1.5 feet) or less.
The earthquake rumbled at 10:08 p.m. local time (11:08 a.m. EDT) on Sunday.
There is potential for heavy-intensity rainfall with lightning, thunder, and gusty winds until 3:30 a.m. local time (WIB).
The earthquake caused panic in the city of Ternate on the island chain of Maluku.
“Showers and thunderstorms will continue to be around central Indonesia through Monday,” according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Maura Kelly.