Strong 6.1 magnitude earthquake strikes Bali, Indonesia

A strong 6.1 magnitude earthquake stuck Bali, Indonesia today (October 13, 2011), causing damage to numerous buildings and injuring at least 46 people. There were no immediate reports of fatalities.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is reporting that the earthquake occurred at 03:16:29 UTC (11:16:29 AM at the epicenter), and struck at a depth of 35.1 kilometers (21.8 miles).

Indonesia’s seismology agency is reporting that there is no potential for a tsunami from the earthquake. On December 26, 2004 Indonesia experienced one of the deadliest tsunamis in history after a 9.1 magnitude earthquake struck off the west coast of Sumatra.

According the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, millions of earthquakes occur around the world every year. Earthquakes ranging from 6.0 to 6.9 in magnitude occur at a frequency of about 134 per year. Larger earthquakes are rare. Earthquakes ranging from 7.0 to 7.9 in magnitude occur at a frequency of about 15 per year, and earthquakes greater than 8.0 in magnitude occur at a frequency of about 1 per year.

USGS has a useful webpage titled “Did you feel it?” where you can share information on your experience of an earthquake. They are estimating that some 641,000 people near Bali, Indonesia may have felt moderate shaking during the October 13, 2011 earthquake.

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