Powerful earthquake in Indonesia felt in Darwin and other part of Northern Territory

A powerful earthquake off the coast of Indonesia has been felt in the Northern Territory as residents recall waking up to the terrifying tremor.

The 7.6 magnitude earthquake was detected in the Arafura Sea 3.17am local time (4.47am AEDT) on Tuesday  308km from Tual City in the Maluku region, sparking a tsunami alert from Indonesian authorities.

The impact was felt in Darwin and other parts of the Top End, including Katherine as far south as Tennant Creek and into the far southern Kimberley region.

The Bureau of Meteorology and Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre say there’s no tsunami threat to Australia.

More than 2000 reports have been lodged with Geoscience Australia as Darwin residents recall being woken by the terrifying tremor.

The extent of the damage is currently unknown. 

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Indonesia has rocked Australia’s Top End 

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Reports have emerged of apartment buildings swaying, cupboards rattling and water sprouting from backyard pools.

‘Quake in Indonesia shakes awake Darwin residents. Felt all the way to Katherine and Kununurra. Strongest I’ve ever felt my entire life in Darwin,’ Channel Nine political reporter Kathleen Gazzola tweeted.

Another posted: ‘That was the (most) intense earthquake I’ve ever felt since being in Darwin. Hope everyone is safe.’

NT News reporter Annabel Bowles told Sunrise the tremor was felt by ‘just about everyone in Darwin.’

‘I’m in the northern suburbs in an apartment and everyone has run outside in their pyjamas with their kids.

‘I first thought it was a cyclone, We had a tropical cyclone just a couple of weeks ago.’ 

‘A lot of people are saying they have never felt anything like it here in Darwin for quite a few decades. 

Ms Bowles said she had felt never felt anything like it.

‘It took us about a minute or so before I think everyone registered what was happening. We quickly realised it must have been an earth tremor,’ she said.

‘It was not windy outside because it is actually really calm, which is interesting. It was pretty surreal.’

More to come