Indonesia, a country located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, is no stranger to earthquakes. The archipelago nation has experienced some of the most devastating earthquakes in recorded history, and sadly, it has just suffered from yet another major one.
On April 16, 2021, a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.0 struck off the coast of Maluku, eastern Indonesia. The earthquake initially occurred at a depth of 30 kilometers beneath the earth’s surface, which is considered shallow enough to cause significant damage.
The earthquake was felt across several major towns and cities in the region, including Ambon, the provincial capital, and nearby coastal villages. The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency reported that the earthquake’s epicenter was around 74 kilometers southeast of Ambon City.
According to official reports, at least eight people have been killed, and more than 600 people have been injured in the aftermath of the earthquake. The number of casualties is expected to rise as rescue operations continue.
Many buildings and structures, including homes, offices, and government buildings, were severely damaged or completely destroyed. The electricity and communications networks were also disrupted by the tremors, making it harder to coordinate rescue efforts.
Indonesia’s president, Joko Widodo, has sent a team of emergency services to the region, including the national search and rescue agency, the military, and the national police. The government has also allocated emergency funds to assist those affected by the earthquake and mobilized humanitarian aid from neighboring regions.
Indonesia is notorious for its frequent earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates collide and volcanic eruptions and earthquakes are common. In 2004, an earthquake with a magnitude of 9.1 off the coast of Sumatra triggered a tsunami that killed around 230,000 people in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, and several other countries on the Indian Ocean rim.
In 2018, another major earthquake hit the Indonesian island of Lombok, killing more than 500 people and affecting hundreds of thousands more. Almost a year later, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake in Indonesia’s Central Sulawesi province killed more than 4,500 people and displaced over 170,000.
In conclusion, the latest earthquake in Indonesia is yet another reminder of the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters. In a nation prone to earthquakes, it’s essential to invest in seismic-resistant buildings, early warning systems, and effective disaster management policies to save lives and mitigate the damage from such devastating events.
