Location:

152 km E of Laikit, Laikit II (Dimembe), Indonesia

Period:

14 Nov 2019 16:17:40 - 15 Nov 2019 23:44:33 (1 day 7 hours 26 minutes)

Volcanoes in 100km radius:

None

Earthquakes:

M 7.0+:

M 7.4; 127 km WNW of Ternate, Indonesia; (1 Apr 2026) (40km from the swarm center)
M 7.1; 141 km NW of Ternate, Indonesia; (14 Nov 2019) (11km from the swarm center)
M 7.1; 155 km NW of Ternate, Indonesia; (15 Nov 2014) (42km from the swarm center)
M 7.5; 126 km WNW of Ternate, Indonesia; (21 Jan 2007) (53km from the swarm center)
M 7.1; 137 km WNW of Ternate, Indonesia; (24 Feb 2001) (35km from the swarm center)

21 swarms found nearby.

2001

PS20010225.1(27.3km)

24 Feb

16 hours

5 earthquakes

PS20010226.1(11.9km)

26 Feb

12 hours

5 earthquakes

PS20010827.1(50.5km)

26 Aug

1 day 19 hours

9 earthquakes

2007

PS20070121.1(56.8km)

21 Jan

3 days 13 hours

42 earthquakes

PS20070127.1(35.3km)

26 Jan

1 day 17 hours

7 earthquakes

2014

PS20141115.1(32.1km)

15 Nov

8 hours

8 earthquakes

PS20141126.1(36.2km)

25 Nov

1 day 0 hours

8 earthquakes

PS20141221.1(65.4km)

21 Dec

2 hours

5 earthquakes

2019

PS20190106.1(105.6km)

6 Jan

20 hours

8 earthquakes

S20190107.1(89.7km)

6 Jan

1 day 14 hours

33 earthquakes

PS20190708.1(92.7km)

8 Jul

21 hours

5 earthquakes

S20191114.2(19.7km)

14 Nov

2 days 8 hours

77 earthquakes

2023

PS20230124.1(183.1km)

23 Jan

1 day 3 hours

7 earthquakes

2026

PS20260402.1(40.7km)

1 Apr

2 days 2 hours

23 earthquakes

S20260402.1(27.9km)

1 Apr

12 days 18 hours

397 earthquakes

S20260402.4(42.9km)

1 Apr

11 days 20 hours

228 earthquakes

S20260402.3(18.3km)

2 Apr

5 days 1 hours

114 earthquakes

S20260402.2(21.8km)

2 Apr

5 days 5 hours

150 earthquakes

S20260402.5(47.7km)

2 Apr

8 days 13 hours

107 earthquakes

S20260403.1(44.2km)

2 Apr

2 days 8 hours

57 earthquakes

S20260404.1(39.9km)

3 Apr

1 day 10 hours

43 earthquakes

AI-generated article — for informational and entertainment purposes only. May contain inaccuracies. Full disclaimerFound an error?

Seismic Swarm PS20191114.1: November 2019 Event Near Ternate, Indonesia

The seismic swarm PS20191114.1 occurred in a tectonically active region east of Ternate in North Maluku, Indonesia. This area lies within the complex Molucca Sea Collision Zone, where convergence between the Philippine Sea Plate and the Sunda Plate drives frequent seismicity and volcanism. The swarm's epicenter was located approximately 152 km east of Laikit, Laikit II (Dimembe), at depths ranging from 4 km to 35 km.

The sequence began at 16:17 UTC on 14 November 2019 with a magnitude 7.1 event at 33 km depth. Over the following 31 hours and 26 minutes, 29 earthquakes were recorded, concluding at 23:44 on 15 November 2019. Magnitudes ranged from 5.0 to 7.1, with notable events including a 6.0 at 21:12 on 14 November and a 5.9 at 01:17 on 15 November. Depths were predominantly in the 20–35 km range, though several shallower events occurred between 4 km and 17 km.

This swarm reflects typical behavior in subduction-related settings, where stress transfer along the plate interface triggers clusters of moderate to large events. The mainshock was followed by a rapid succession of aftershocks, many exceeding magnitude 5.0, indicating sustained strain release.

Historical records since 2000 show 11 prior swarms in the region: three each in 2001, 2014, and 2019, plus two in 2007. Strong earthquakes have also punctuated the area's activity. Notable examples include a magnitude 7.4 event 127 km WNW of Ternate on 1 April 2026 (40 km from the swarm center), a magnitude 7.1 on 14 November 2019 (11 km from center), a magnitude 7.1 on 15 November 2014 (42 km from center), a magnitude 7.5 on 21 January 2007 (53 km from center), and a magnitude 7.1 on 24 February 2001 (35 km from center).

These patterns underscore the persistent seismic hazard in the Halmahera arc segment, where repeated swarms and great earthquakes are linked to ongoing plate convergence. Monitoring such sequences aids in understanding rupture processes and refining regional hazard assessments.

References

SeismoSight internal classification data for swarm PS20191114.1.
USGS Earthquake Catalog for regional strong events.
Tectonic summaries from the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG).