Magnitude 7.7 Earthquake and Tsunami Warning Strike Flores, Indonesia

The U.S. Geological Survey recorded a magnitude 7.7 earthquake at 5:58 a.m. local time on August 14, 2026. The epicentre was 68 kilometres north-northwest of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara, striking at a depth of 10 kilometres.

Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency issued a tsunami warning for four provinces: East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi and Southeast Sulawesi. Officials told people living near coastlines and riverbanks to move to higher ground without delay.

Residents on Flores Island felt very strong shaking. Scientists estimated that more than 500,000 people there were exposed to intense ground movement, with moderate to strong shaking reaching several million more across the broader region. Early reports described damage to homes and public facilities, though a full assessment was still under way when the warnings were lifted.

Several aftershocks followed the main quake. Emergency teams mobilised and authorities monitored coastal tide gauges closely for any sign of a wave.

Flores and the surrounding islands sit above one of the most seismically active stretches of Indonesia's archipelago. The region has been struck by major earthquakes before, and the depth of 10 kilometres placed this event in the range where seabed displacement can generate a tsunami. Officials stood down the warning once gauge readings showed no notable change along affected coastlines.

For background on interpreting vessel activity around maritime incidents, our guides explain maritime safety tracking, coastal and deep-sea tracking coverage, and the accuracy of ship-location data.