Jakarta – A powerful 6.5 magnitude earthquake rocked Indonesia’s Maluku Islands on October 16, 2025, at 10:52 AM local time, prompting a tsunami warning for coastal areas. The epicenter was located 142 km northeast of Ternate, North Maluku province, at a shallow depth of 10 km, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The quake was felt strongly in Ternate and surrounding islands, with residents reporting intense shaking that lasted up to 30 seconds.

Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued a tsunami warning for waves up to 1 meter high, urging immediate evacuation to higher ground. No immediate reports of casualties or major damage have emerged, but the warning remains in effect as aftershocks, including a 5.2 magnitude event, continue. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu confirmed the threat, advising vigilance.

This earthquake highlights Indonesia’s seismic vulnerability, situated on the Ring of Fire. It follows a 6.9 magnitude quake in the Philippines on October 10, underscoring the region’s tectonic risks. Rescue teams are on standby, with authorities monitoring for potential landslides.