Minor magnitude 2.1 quake recorded northeast of Labuan Bajo

Labuan Bajo — A small earthquake was recorded to the northeast of Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, on Tuesday evening, 8 September 2026, with no immediate reports of damage or casualties, according to Indonesian media citing the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).

Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) reported that BMKG measured the earthquake at magnitude 2.1, locating the epicentre at coordinates 8.23 degrees south latitude and 120.16 degrees east longitude. The epicentre was described as lying about 41 kilometres northeast of Labuan Bajo.

Another outlet in the Tribun network carried a similar account, stating that a magnitude 2.1 earthquake occurred 41 kilometres northeast of Labuan Bajo on 8 September 2026, based on BMKG’s initial information. Both reports framed the event as a minor local tremor.

Recorded location, depth and timing

According to RRI, the earthquake struck at 18:25:44 Western Indonesia Time (WIB) on Tuesday, 8 September 2026. This corresponds to around 19:25 local time in the Central Indonesia Time zone (WITA), which includes Labuan Bajo.

RRI cited BMKG’s preliminary parameters as follows:

• Magnitude: 2.1
• Time: approximately 18:25 WIB, Tuesday, 8 September 2026
• Coordinates: 8.23° south, 120.16° east
• Distance from Labuan Bajo: about 41 kilometres northeast

Tribun Gorontalo similarly reported BMKG’s figures, including the same coordinates and epicentral distance. However, that report described the depth as about 10 kilometres, while RRI’s summary put the depth at around 17 kilometres, indicating a minor discrepancy in early reporting.

BMKG’s public catalogue of stronger earthquakes for the same date lists a magnitude 5.2 event in East Nusa Tenggara, with an epicentre 60 kilometres northeast of Ruteng and a depth of 10 kilometres, underscoring that the Labuan Bajo tremor was significantly smaller than other regional seismic activity that day.

Minor tremor, no reported impact

RRI noted that BMKG classified the 2.1-magnitude quake as having no potential, a formulation commonly used for small events that are not expected to cause damage. Tribun’s coverage emphasised that such low-magnitude earthquakes generally release limited energy and have a very low likelihood of serious structural impacts.

RRI reported that, as of its publication time on 8 September, there were no reports of damage to buildings or infrastructure and no casualties linked to the tremor. The outlet added that local authorities were still monitoring the situation and that further information from official channels could follow.

The Tribun article similarly described the Labuan Bajo quake as a minor event, noting its shallow depth but reiterating that the low magnitude meant the potential for severe damage was very limited. Neither report included intensity data or specific accounts of residents feeling the shaking.

BMKG’s national list of felt earthquakes for 8 September 2026 does not highlight the Labuan Bajo 2.1 event, reflecting the tendency for very small quakes to go largely unnoticed by the general population. Nonetheless, the recorded parameters confirm that a minor tectonic disturbance occurred in the area that evening, in line with the broader seismic character of the Flores Sea region.

Sources

• RRI.co.id – "Gempa Magnitudo 2,1 Guncang Labuan Bajo NTT"
• Tribun Gorontalo – "Gempa Magnitudo 2,1 Guncang 41 Km Timur Laut Labuan Bajo NTT"
• BMKG – "Gempa Bumi M 5,0"