Sulawesi Was Rocked By Earthquake Up To 234 Times During June 2022, What Caused It?

Illustration/Photo: Antara

MAKASSAR - The Center for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG) Region IV Makassar recorded earthquake activity that occurred up to 234 times a week.

Sub Coordinator of Data Collection and Distribution of BBMKG Region IV Makassar R Jamroni through his statement in Makassar, Sunday, July 3, said the earthquake activity was recorded in the system for a week.

"This is a small earthquake, starting to be felt, shallow and deep. There is no need to panic, but stay alert," he said, quoted by Antara.

He said the period of the earthquake occurred from June 1 to 30, 2022. The distribution of earthquakes also occurred in the areas of Gorontalo, Malili, and Selayar, South Sulawesi; then Majene, West Sulawesi, and the Kalisusu region.

The distribution of earthquakes from 234 events; 12 earthquakes were felt, 202 were shallow earthquakes, 29 medium depth earthquakes and 3 deep earthquakes.

In addition, in June 2022, the most active faults causing earthquakes are the Sorowako Fault and the Batui-Balantak Fault.

The frequency of earthquakes below 2 magnitude has occurred 25 times, below 2-3 magnitudes have occurred 140 times, below 3-4 magnitudes have occurred 51 times, below 4-5 magnitudes have occurred 14 times, and above 5 magnitudes are 4 times.

The frequency of earthquakes based on their depth was 44 times with a depth of 60 kilometers (km), medium occurred 6 times at a depth of 60-300 kilometers, and 2 earthquakes occurred at a depth of more than 300 km.

For the perceived frequency it is 12 times and one of them is damaging. Then there were 29 medium earthquakes with depths ranging from 60 to 300 kilometers under the sea.

"Meanwhile, deep earthquakes with a depth of more than 300 kilometers occurred 3 times," he explained.

Jamroni admitted that the series of earthquakes in the last month was part of a natural process. The earthquake was relatively small in strength, so it did not cause any damage or loss of life.

"During this earthquake period, the active faults or faults were the Sorowako and Batui-Balantak faults," said the Sub-Coordinator for Data Collection and Distribution of BBMKG Region IV Makassar, R. Jamroni.