The quake and the tsunami warning
A powerful earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia's Flores Island early Saturday morning. The US Geological Survey measured it at magnitude 7.7. The epicenter was about 68 kilometers north-northwest of the city of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara province, at a depth of roughly 10 kilometers.
The quake hit at 5:58 a.m. local time. Indonesian authorities immediately issued a tsunami warning for the provinces of East Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi and West Nusa Tenggara. Officials urged coastal residents to move inland or to higher ground. Hours later, the warning was lifted after sea levels returned to normal.
Damage and rescue efforts
At least 47 people have been confirmed dead, and officials expect the number to rise as rescue teams reach isolated areas. Videos from the region show collapsed houses, boats washed onto roads and a destroyed church in the town of Ruteng, in the Manggarai region. The quake damaged hundreds of buildings, including homes, schools and places of worship.
Rescue workers are searching through rubble in the worst-hit areas. The government has sent medical teams and supplies to the region. Many residents spent the night outdoors, afraid of aftershocks.
A region shaped by seismic risk
Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone of intense tectonic activity. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are common across the archipelago. The Flores region has seen destructive quakes before, and many buildings there are not built to withstand strong shaking. Scientists say the shallow depth of this quake made its impact worse, because the energy reached the surface with little loss of strength.