Majene Earthquake In West Sulawesi, 2 Houses In Mamuju Damaged

Two houses of residents of Mamuju, West Sulawesi were damaged by an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.9.

JAKARTA - Two houses of residents of Mamuju, West Sulawesi, were damaged by an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.9. BNPB is still collecting data regarding the impact of the earthquake that occurred in Majene.

"Another interim report stated that 1 unit of the Sabhara Polda's barracks in West Sulawesi was damaged. In addition, 1 person was injured and has received medical treatment," said Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center, Raditya Jati, in his statement, Thursday. , January 14th.

From the BPBD report of Majene Regency, it was reported that the strong shock was felt by residents when the earthquake occurred.

"The residents felt a strong earthquake for about 3 seconds. People panicked and left their houses. After the earthquake occurred," he said.

BPBD Majene Regency coordinated with district and village officials regarding the impact of the earthquake.

Meanwhile, the BPBD of Mamuju Regency informed the residents that they felt strong shocks of 3 to 4 seconds. People also panicked and left the house.

"The local BPBD Quick Reaction Team is still collecting data on the impact of the earthquake," he continued.

The BPBD of Polewali Mandar Regency also informed the same thing. The community felt the earthquake for about 3 seconds. People panicked and left their homes to avoid the bad effects of the earthquake. The earthquake with a depth of 10 km did not trigger a tsunami.

BMKG analysis

BMKG's Head of Earthquake and Tsunami Mitigation, Daryono said, from the field at this time it was reported that there were many damages to people's houses in Majene.

"Not only damaging, this earthquake also triggered a collateral hazard in the form of rock falls on hilly cliffs," said Daryono in his statement, Thursday, January 14.

The earthquake in Majene was felt to be far across the island. It was reported that many residents in Paser and Balikpapan Regencies in East Kalimantan also felt the shock of the Majene earthquake.

"The Majene earthquake this afternoon was triggered by the source of the Mamuju Ascent Fault (Mamuju Thrust) earthquake. This fault is offshore as a very active fold-thrust belt. This is consistent with the analysis of the BMKG source mechanism which shows a thrust fault, "continued Daryono.

According to him, the epicenter of the Majene earthquake was very close to the source of the earthquake that triggered the tsunami on February 23, 1969 with a magnitude of 6.9 at a depth of 13 km.

The earthquake at that time left 64 people dead, 97 people injured and 1,287 houses and mosques were damaged. The port pier broke, causing a tsunami with a height of 4 meters in Pelattoang and 1.5 m in Parasanga and Palili.

"The devastating Majene earthquake today and the earthquake that triggered the destructive tsunami in 1969 were both generated by the same earthquake generator, namely the Mamuju Rise Fault (Mamuju Thrust)," said Daryono.

According to him, the Mamuju Ascend Fault has a targeted magnitude of 7.0 with a fault shear rate of 2 millimeters / year. Therefore, this fault must be watched out because it can trigger strong earthquakes.