Earthquake 7.1 In North Sulawesi Makes Sangihe Residents Scatter Out Of Their Houses, Electricity Goes Out

JAKARTA - An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 in Melonguane made residents of Sangihe Regency, Talaud Islands, North Sulawesi, scatter from their homes.

"We had to run out of the house because the earthquake was very strong especially when the PLN lights went out immediately," said Durce, a Tahuna resident, Sangihe, quoted by Antara, Thursday, January 21.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Sangihe Regency, Rivo Pudihang, explained that the earthquake was in the Talaud Islands, 134 km northeast of Melonguane, to be precise 4.98 North Latitude and 127.38 East Longitude. The depth of the earthquake was 155 km.

"The earthquake that occurred has no potential for a tsunami," said Rivo Pudihang.

Until now, he said, there was no information on the damage to buildings due to the earthquake.

"We hope that there will be no damage to buildings due to this earthquake and people are also asked to remain calm," he said.

The tectonic earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 in North Sulawesi was caused by subduction of the Philippine Plate.

"The results of the BMKG analysis of this earthquake have updated parameters with a magnitude of 7.0. The epicenter of the earthquake is located at coordinates 4.94 N and 127.44 East Longitude or precisely located in the sea at a distance of 132 km northeast of Melonguane City, Talaud Islands Regency, at depth 119 km, "said BMKG Head of Earthquake and Tsunami Center Bambang Setiyo Prayitno in a written statement.

He explained that by paying attention to the location of the epicenter and the depth of the hypocenter, the earthquake that occurred was a medium-sized earthquake due to the subduction activity of the Philippine plate. The results of the analysis of the source mechanism show that the earthquake has an upward movement mechanism (Thrust Fault).

The impact of the earthquake, the shock was felt in the Melonguane, Tahuna, Ondong area on the MMI IV scale, which means that during the daytime it is felt by many people in the house.

Then in Manado, Bitung on the MMI III scale, the vibration is felt real in the house.

Shocks were also felt in Galela, Gorontalo, Morotai, North Halmahera and West Halmahera on the MMI II-III scale.

As well as felt in Bolaang Uki on the MMI II scale, which means vibrations were felt by several people, light objects that were hung sway.

Earthquake shocks were also felt in Ternate, Sofifi, Central Halmahera on the MMI I-II scale, namely vibrations were not felt except in extraordinary circumstances by several people.

Until now, there has been no report on the impact of the damage caused by the earthquake. The modeling results show that the earthquake has no potential for a tsunami.

"We urge the public to remain calm and not be affected by issues that cannot be justified and to avoid buildings that are cracked or damaged as a result of the earthquake," said Bambang.