Sunday, 5th April 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 12th August 2025, 4:20 PM
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck the eastern Indonesian province of Papua on Tuesday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). However, monitoring agencies confirmed there was no tsunami threat.
The tremor occurred at approximately 5:24 p.m. local time (08:24 GMT), with its epicentre located around 193 kilometres northwest of the town of Abepura in Papua, the USGS reported.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reiterated that the quake did not pose any tsunami risk.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage following the seismic event. Initially, the USGS measured the quake at magnitude 6.5, before revising it downward to 6.3.
Context: Indonesia’s Seismic Vulnerability
Indonesia sits along the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, a vast arc of seismic and volcanic activity stretching from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin, where multiple tectonic plates converge. This geographical position makes the country particularly prone to frequent and sometimes devastating earthquakes.
Notable Past Earthquakes in Indonesia
| Year & Date | Magnitude | Location | Consequences |
| Jan 2021 | 6.2 | Sulawesi | Over 100 people killed, thousands left homeless. |
| Sep 2018 | 7.5 | Palu, Sulawesi | Earthquake followed by a tsunami; over 2,200 deaths reported. |
| Dec 2004 | 9.1 | Aceh Province | Massive tsunami; more than 170,000 deaths in Indonesia alone. |
about the Papua Quake
| Detail | Information |
| Magnitude | 6.3 (initially reported as 6.5) |
| Time | 5:24 p.m. local time (08:24 GMT) |
| Epicentre | 193 km northwest of Abepura, Papua |
| Tsunami Threat | None |
| Casualties/Damage | None reported |
| Cause | Tectonic activity along the Pacific “Ring of Fire” |
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