Earthquake strikes off the coast of Bali as locals and tourists feel ‘hectic’ tremors on the island
A magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck off the coast of Bali on Tuesday at a depth of 10 kilometres, with residents and tourists across the island reporting the tremors. The earthquake is part of a recent surge in seismic activity across Indonesia, highlighting ongoing safety concerns for the 1.75 million Australian visitors who travel to the region annually.
The United States Geological Survey recorded the Bali earthquake on Tuesday. Other significant tremors have struck Indonesia in recent days, including a 5.7-magnitude quake off West Java on 11 October and another 5.7-magnitude earthquake near Gorontalo on 12 October. People in popular tourist areas including Legian, Ubud and Canggu felt the tremors, described as "hectic" by some residents. Seismic experts have advised visitors to earthquake-prone regions to familiarise themselves with safety procedures, such as dropping to the ground and seeking cover during strong shaking, whilst remaining alert to potential tsunami risks.
- Magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck off Bali coast on Tuesday
- Part of series of significant quakes affecting Indonesia this week
- Experts urge visitors to learn earthquake safety procedures
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Bali is a popular holiday destination in Indonesia that attracts millions of visitors annually, particularly from Australia. On Tuesday, the island was struck by a magnitude 5.1 earthquake off its coast, with residents and tourists across Bali reporting noticeable tremors.
Indonesia lies in a region where the Earth's crust is particularly unstable, making earthquakes a frequent occurrence. The Bali earthquake is part of a recent surge in seismic activity, with several other significant tremors recorded across Indonesia in recent days.
This matters because approximately 1.75 million Australians visit the region each year, meaning large numbers of people are potentially affected by seismic activity. Seismic experts recommend that both visitors and residents familiarise themselves with earthquake safety procedures, such as taking cover during strong shaking and remaining aware of potential tsunami risks.