Earthquake Magnitude 5.5 Guncang Sangihe Islands North Sulawesi, BMKG Imbau Residents Avoid Damaged Buildings

Screenshot of earthquake shock maps in the Sulawesi Sea area, Sangihe Islands, North Sulawesi/NA BETWEEN

JAKARTA - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) stated that an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.5 rocked the Sulawesi Sea area, precisely in the Sangihe Islands, North Sulawesi (Sulut), Sunday, September 25 at around 18.16 WIB. The Acting Head of the BMKG Earthquake and Tsunami Center, Daryono, explained that the results of the BMKG analysis showed that this earthquake had the latest parameters with a magnitude of 5.2. Daryono said the epicenter of the earthquake was located at coordinates 4.33 LU, 126.14 East Longitude, or precisely located in the sea at a distance of 74 kilometers northwest of Melonguane City, North Sulawesi at a depth of 135 kilometers. "By taking into account the location of the epicenter and the depth of the hypocenter, the earthquake that occurred was an intermediate type of earthquake due to the subduction activity of the Philippine sea plate," he said in Jakarta, Antara, Sunday, September 25. The results of the analysis of the source mechanism show that the earthquake has a horizontal-up movement mechanism or an oblique-thrust fault. According to him, the earthquake had an impact and was felt in Melonguane and Tahuna areas with an intensity scale of III MMI (the vibration was felt in the house. The vibration felt as if the truck was passing). In addition, in the Ondong area with an intensity scale of II MMI (the vibration was felt by several people, light objects that were hung swayed). He added that based on the modeling results, this earthquake did not have the potential for a tsunami. "As of 18.38 WIB, the results of BMKG monitoring have not shown any aftershock activity," he said. BMKG appealed to the public to remain calm and not be influenced by issues that cannot be justified. "People should avoid buildings that are cracked or damaged by the earthquake. Check and make sure the building where you live is earthquake-resistant enough, or there is no damage due to earthquake vibrations that endanger the stability of the building before you return home," said Daryono.