March 23, 1908 Earthquake: Timor, Indonesia

On March 23 after 20:00 [local time] there was a strong earthquake all over Timor Island. At Atapupu [evidently mistakenly dated March 24], oscillations lasted about 3 minutes. Vials fell from a shelf in an office. Cracks appeared in the walls of the fort, and one piece of wall 5 m long fell down. The wall of one home in the Chinese quarter also collapsed. Narrow cracks up to 25 m long appeared on the coast. Fishermen at sea were rocked heavily for a short time. At Kupang, the earthquake was considerable; according to the elders of one of the nearest villages it was the strongest since 1881. It was felt on the islands of Roti and Sawu. A ship in the passage between the island of Timor and Alor felt a very strong seaquake. On Alor island, chairs and walking-sticks standing in the wardroom fell down; hanging objects swayed for 10-12 minutes. At Ende, the anchor chain of a ship knocked against the bottom repeatedly during the earthquake. Weak tremors were registered at Bima, on Selaru Island and at Merauke. (reference #414)

1908, March 24. Atapupu: Timor Island - the quake strongly felt at Atapupu in Northeast Timor. Cracks

developed in the wall of a fortress; a part of the wall fell. Damage to buildings was also done in the Chinese

blocks. Cracks developed in the beach sands about 25 m long. A tsunami was observed. (reference #1188)