1,440 earthquakes in 30 days: Why is the earth shaking every few hours in Indonesia?

New Delhi: A strong earthquake was felt in Aceh province on Indonesia’s Sumatra Island on Thursday, 27 November 2025. The magnitude measured 6.3 on the Richter scale. An earthquake of this magnitude is considered dangerous because it can cause widespread damage. The earthquake briefly spread panic in the area. However, no deaths or major damage were immediately reported. Earthquakes are occurring several times daily in one area or another in Indonesia, raising concerns among experts.

Indonesia is already grappling with deadly floods and landslides caused by Cyclone Senyar. Floods and landslides have claimed the lives of at least 25 people in North Sumatra alone. Local authorities and relief workers are already facing numerous challenges, and the earthquake has only exacerbated these challenges.

1,440 Earthquakes in 30 days

Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesia experiences thousands of earthquakes annually due to intense tectonic activity. According to USGS and VolcanoDiscovery data, approximately 1,440 earthquakes with magnitudes up to 6.4 have been recorded in the country in the past 30 days. This number is sufficient to convey the severity of the situation.

The exact count of earthquakes varies depending on the threshold, but the number of significant events (earthquakes greater than 4.5) is approximately 250. This represents a normal seismic rate of 2,300 earthquakes of magnitude greater than 4 in the past six months. This has raised concerns among Indonesians and alarmed experts.

Recent earthquakes in Indonesia

Sumatra, Indonesia, has recently experienced several tremors, including a nearby 6.6 magnitude tremor. This region is prone to earthquakes. In 2004, a 9.1 magnitude earthquake and a devastating tsunami killed 230,000 people. The recent earthquake in Sumatra does not pose any tsunami threat but has raised concerns. Indonesia’s location on the Pacific Ring of Fire makes earthquakes frequent.