CURRENT CONTEXT: Recently, a strong earthquake of magnitude 6.7 struck near Tanimbar Islands in the Banda Sea, off the coast of Indonesia.

ABOUT TANIMBAR ISLANDS:

• Location: Situated in Maluku province of Indonesia, between the Banda Sea and Arafura Sea.
• Geography: Group of about 30 islands; largest island is Yamdena, featuring forested hills and swampy lowlands.
• Seismic Vulnerability: Lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, a zone of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.