MANADO – A large-scale earthquake has again rocked northern Sulawesi. This time, based on an update made by BMKG, the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.8, with the point of the earthquake being in Melonguane, Talaud Islands, North Sulawesi.
Initially, the earthquake was said to have a magnitude of 6.9 magnitude, occurring at 13.11 WIB or at 14.11 local time (WITA). The earthquake was of tectonic type.
Head of the BMKG Earthquake and Tsunami Center Rahmat Triyono said, the epicenter of the earthquake was located at coordinates 6.64 NU and 125.24 East or about 334 Km from the northwest of Melonguane City, Talaud Islands, North Sulawesi. The earthquake has a depth of 37 km.
“By observing the location of the epicenter and the depth of the hypocenter, the earthquake that occurred was a type of shallow earthquake due to local fault activity in the Mindanao region (Philippines). The results of the analysis of the source mechanism showed that the earthquake had a horizontal sliding mechanism (Strike Slip Fault),” Rahmat said. in his written statement.
BMKG said, people in Sangihe, North Sulawesi, felt the tremor. However, to date there have been no reports of damage due to the earthquake because the earthquake had no tsunami potential.
“Until 13.45 WIB, BMKG monitoring results have not shown any aftershock activity,” Rahmat added.
BMKG also asked the public to remain calm and not be affected by information that could not be accounted for in relation to the earthquake. In addition, he asked the public to avoid buildings that were damaged or cracked by the earthquake.
“Check and make sure the building where you live is quite earthquake resistant, or there is no damage due to earthquake vibrations that endanger the stability of the building before you return to the house,” he concluded.
Based on the records, this December, North Sulawesi was shaken twice by earthquake above 5 magnitude. On 3 December 2019, an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.3 was centered in Bitung, North Sulawesi, which had an impact on warnings of a tsunami. (top)
