7.7 Magnitude Quake Triggers Small Tsunami Waves in Sulawesi Region
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- BMKG recorded minor tsunami waves in North Sulawesi and North Maluku following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake, urging residents in coastal areas to remain cautious.
- Small tsunami activity has been detected at three locations, with authorities continuing real-time sea level monitoring and warning that wave heights could still increase in some zones.
- Despite currently low wave heights, Indonesia maintains a tsunami alert as seismic activity in the Sulawesi Sea raises concern for northern and eastern coastal regions.
Jakarta – Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has confirmed that minor tsunami waves, ranging between 9 and 18 centimeters, have been recorded at several monitoring stations following a powerful 7.7 magnitude tectonic earthquake in the Sulawesi Sea.
Speaking at a press briefing in Jakarta on Monday, BMKG Deputy for Geophysics Nelly Florida Riama stated that the waves were detected in three coastal areas: Ulu Siau and Melonguane in North Sulawesi, as well as one monitoring point in North Maluku.
Although the observed wave anomalies remain relatively small, authorities have urged residents in affected coastal regions to remain alert and follow evacuation instructions issued by local officials.
According to earlier tsunami modeling released by BMKG, wave heights in certain coastal areas could still escalate, with projections indicating potential alert levels ranging from “Siaga” (advisory) to “Awas” (warning).
“We urge the public to continue monitoring official updates from BMKG, as modeling indicates that some areas may experience higher tsunami levels,” Nelly said.
BMKG, in coordination with relevant agencies, is continuing real-time monitoring of tidal data and tsunami sensors to assess evolving conditions along Indonesia’s northern and eastern coastlines.
The tsunami early warning was issued less than 10 minutes after the earthquake struck at 06:37 a.m. Western Indonesia Time. The quake, measured at magnitude 7.7, occurred at a depth of 47 kilometers northwest of Karatung Island in North Sulawesi, near the Mindanao region of the Philippines.
Indonesianpost.com | Antara
