Darwin, Northern Territory wakes to violent earthquake off Indonesia

A magnitude 7.6 earthquake that struck off Indonesia sent the biggest tremors in a decade across the Northern Territory, with many declaring it’s the biggest they’ve ever felt.

The Top End was shaken awake by what many describe as the biggest seismic rattle in a decade after a magnitude 7.6 earthquake off Indonesia.

The quake was recorded about 3.21am Tuesday in the Tanimbar Islands north of the Arafura Sea.

There was no tsunami risk to Australia.

Residents across the Top End as far south as Tennant Creek reported feeling tremors, with some describing it as the biggest they had experienced in a decade.

At the Ramada Suites apartment building on the outskirts of Darwin’s CBD, holiday-makers made mad dashes outside after the building was felt swaying side to side.

No #tsunami threat to Australia from magnitude 7.5 #earthquake near Tanimbar Islands Reg., Indonesia. Latest advice at https://t.co/Tynv3ZQpEq. pic.twitter.com/XHqUgyrJz9

— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) January 9, 2023

Dozens fled the high-rise building still in their pyjamas, clutching children and few belongings as panic set in.

Some gathered outside had genuine fears the building would topple over after the violent tremor.

People remained outside the building at 4am fearing another tremor.

Geoscience Australia senior duty seismologist Tanja Pejic said the tremor was the biggest recorded in Darwin in the past decade.

Ms Pejic said about five earthquakes measuring seven or higher had been felt in Australia in that time.

She said the recommended course of action during a tremor like Tuesday morning’s was to “drop, cover and hold”.

Tremors from a 7.6 magnitude earthquake reached Darwin in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Picture: Geoscience Australia

“The ‘drop’ basically means drop where you are,” she said.

“If you’re in a high-rise building, you’re in a high-rise building.

“Drop where you are on to your hands and knees … that position protects you from being knocked down while everything is shaking.

“Then you’ve got ‘cover’ which means cover your head and neck … if you’re indoors and you’ve got a sturdy table nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter.

“And then you’ve got ‘hold on’ and that basically means hold on until the shaking stops, and be ready to move with your shelter if it moves.

“If you’re outdoors stay away from power lines as much as possible and stay away from trees as much as you can.”

Impressive that over 2000 reports have been filed to @GeoscienceAus regarding this #earthquake in #darwin at 330am onwards!! Shows you the magnitude of this event. Also felt as far south as Tennant Creek and into the far Southern Kimberly. pic.twitter.com/2YpngjOkIb

— Karl Lijnders (@KLijnders) January 9, 2023

Ms Pejic said tremors such as the ones that reached the NT would have most people reporting loud noises, dishes and windows rattling, walls creaking, pictures swaying and objects falling off shelves.

She said an aftershock of about five had hit 20 minutes after the initial quake, which people in the Territory could have also felt.

“It’s not uncommon for people to feel the magnitude fives,” she said.

Leanne Dix said the quake was the biggest she had felt in Darwin, and her “whole house shook”.

“Strong enough to wake everybody up (at) the same time,” wrote Steve Pegg.

“Easily the strongest I have felt in Darwin.”

7.6 magnitude #earthquake in Indonesia’s Banda Sea no doubt felt in Darwin! Dozens of people ran outside of their apartments here in Nightcliff. @TheNTNewspic.twitter.com/L9pnQFuTUf

— Annabel Bowles (@annabel_bowles) January 9, 2023

Jarryd Sullivan said it was “one of the bigger quakes, if not the biggest” he had felt.

“Lasted quite a long time and felt the gentle vibration before it really began shaking.”

Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services posted on Facebook asking if everyone was OK, and provided advice on what to do after an earthquake.

Residents responded, saying the frightening quake was the biggest they had felt in many years.

“Did anyone else hear the roar? First time I’ve heard it during one,” one man from Darwin wrote.

“The strongest earthquake I have felt in Darwin. My high set house in Rapid Creek shuddered, the floor shook and furniture moved. It was pretty scary,” another Darwin resident said.

“Heard door rattling, jumped out of bed, ran to fish tank to stop it swaying. Went for a long time, strongest I have felt since the big one that hit Newcastle NSW in the 80s,” a woman added.

“That earthquake was freaking scary as! The entire house just shook like crazy and pictures fell off the walls!” Olympian and former senator Nova Peris tweeted.

According to Geoscience Australia, the quake in Indonesia reached a depth of 93km.

The quake was felt across the Territory and Weipa in Far North Queensland, and across the northern fringes of Western Australia.

The quake is the fourth to hit the Top End in the past 12 months.

More than 2600 people had reported feeling the tremor at about 6.30am Tuesday.