Jakarta, Indonesia – A massive 6.2 magnitude earthquake hit offshore of Indonesia’s Sulawesi island today, sending powerful tremors across coastal regions and placing residents on high alert. The significant seismic event, which originated in the Molucca Sea, serves as a potent reminder of the archipelago’s position on the volatile Pacific “Ring of Fire.”
Quake Details: A Shallow 6.2 Magnitude Strike
According to Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the earthquake’s epicentre was located 127 kilometres northwest of Gorontalo province. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) corroborated the magnitude, reporting the quake struck at a relatively shallow depth of just 10 kilometres.
Shallow-focus earthquakes are often felt more intensely on the surface. Reports from coastal communities confirmed strong and prolonged shaking, which prompted many residents to evacuate their homes in panic.
“The shaking was very strong,” a resident from a coastal town in Gorontalo told a local news outlet. “We were inside, and everything started to rattle loudly. We immediately ran outside, fearing the building might collapse.”
Tsunami Fears Allayed, No Warning Issued
Given the quake’s offshore location and magnitude, the immediate concern was the potential for a tsunami. The memory of the devastating 2018 Palu earthquake and tsunami, which also struck Sulawesi, remains a traumatic event for the nation.
However, authorities were quick to provide reassurance. The BMKG analyzed the seismic data and confirmed that the earthquake today off Sulawesi did not have the potential to generate a destructive tsunami. Consequently, no tsunami warning was issued. Despite this, officials urged coastal residents to remain vigilant for strong aftershocks and to move to higher ground if they observe any abnormal sea-level changes.
Assessing the Damage and Aftermath
Disaster management agencies are actively assessing the impact of the 6.2 quake. As of this report, there have been no immediate accounts of significant structural damage, injuries, or fatalities. Communication lines with more remote coastal villages are still being fully established, with a clearer picture of the situation expected to emerge in the coming hours.
The earthquake that hit Indonesia today is another stark reminder of the geological forces at play in the region. The country sits on the “Ring of Fire,” an arc of intense tectonic activity where frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are common. While today’s event appears to have spared the region a major catastrophe, it highlights the critical need for robust early warning systems and public preparedness.
NextMinuteNews will continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates on the Sulawesi earthquake as they become available.
