Powerful 7.1-Magnitude Earthquake and Aftershocks Shake Bali Residents
Bali and various Indonesian islands experienced a significant 7.1-magnitude earthquake followed by multiple aftershocks on Tuesday, as reported by the USGS. The quake, occurring at a considerable depth of approximately 515 kilometers off Bali’s northeastern coast around 3:55 am local time (1955 GMT on Monday), prompted alarmed tourists to take to the streets but resulted in minimal destruction.
The tremors were widely felt across Bali and nearby islands such as Lombok and Sumbawa. Residents of Bali noted that a subsequent aftershock brought tremors that were both “longer and stronger” compared to the initial one.
Upon the first quake, Ardylla Yuliacitra, aged 31, recounted waking her husband, while the second quake led them to swiftly usher their children outdoors. She shared her experience, stating, “The first earthquake made me sway like on a boat, and the second made my house tremble.”
The USGS recorded aftershocks of magnitudes 5.4 and 5.6 shortly after the main quake. In anticipation of a potential tsunami, hotels evacuated guests and checked the beaches. Nimas Ayu, the spokesperson for Bali’s eastern Sanur area’s Artotel hotel, detailed their response, mentioning, “We calmed (guests) and provided mineral water and towels for those who were evacuating. Then after 15 to 20 minutes, when things felt safe, the staff invited guests to return to their rooms.”
The quake’s epicenter was situated 181 kilometers northeast of the Gili islands near Lombok, a short boat voyage from Bali. Indonesian authorities quickly ruled out the possibility of a tsunami and reported no immediate substantial damage.
While assessments were ongoing, the Bali disaster mitigation agency conveyed that they were still gathering information from the public. Indonesia, located within the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” experiences frequent seismic activity due to its geographic position.
In November, a 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck the populous West Java province on the primary island of Java, resulting in the loss of 602 lives. The devastating earthquake off Sumatra island on December 26, 2004, triggered an Indian Ocean tsunami that claimed over 230,000 lives, reaching as far as Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand.
