A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit the Tanimbar region, Indonesia at 09:37 UTC on February 17, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 38.6 km (24 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).
The epicenter was located about 131.3 km (81.6 miles) SW of Tual, Maluku, and 523.4 km (325.3 miles) SW of Nabire, Papua, Indonesia.
3 000 people are estimated to have felt moderate shaking, and 190 000 light.
The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are unreinforced brick with concrete floor and precast concrete frame with wall construction.
