Magnitude 6.0 Earthquake Hits Seram Indonesia Amid Semeru Eruption

A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.0 shook Seram Island in Indonesia on Monday. The quake struck at a depth of 136 kilometers, according to the German Research Centre for Geosciences. Fortunately, no immediate reports of casualties have emerged.

The earthquake comes just a day after Mount Semeru, one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, erupted. The eruption sent ash clouds rising up to two kilometers into the sky. Indonesia’s volcanology agency has warned residents to stay at least 2.5 kilometers away from the volcano due to potential hazards, including falling ash and lava flows.

Mount Semeru, also known as Mahameru, has a long history of eruptions. Over the past 200 years, the volcano has erupted several times, causing damage to surrounding villages and forcing evacuations. The last major eruption in December 2021 killed 51 people and burned hundreds of homes. More than 10,000 people had to evacuate at that time.

Indonesia is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismically active region where tectonic plates meet. This makes the country prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity. Just last Thursday, a magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck near Ambon, Maluku, showing the region’s constant seismic risk.

Authorities continue to monitor both the earthquake and volcanic activity closely. Residents in affected areas are urged to follow safety guidelines and stay alert for further warnings.