Very strong M6.2 earthquake hits West Sulawesi, Indonesia
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 hit Sulawesi, Indonesia at 18:28 UTC on January 14, 2021 (01:28 LT, January 15). The agency is reporting a depth of 18.4 km (11.4 miles). BMKG and EMSC are reporting M6.2 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).
The epicenter was located 36 km (22 miles) S of Mamuju (population 15 000), 60 km (37 miles) N of Majene (population 37 715), and 67 km (41 miles) NW of Polewali (population 58 190), West Sulawesi, Indonesia.
There are about 1 110 000 people living within 100 km (62 miles).
14 000 people are estimated to have felt very strong shaking, 70 000 strong, 695 000 moderate, and 6 362 000 light.
A tsunami is not expected.
The USGS issued a green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are unreinforced brick with concrete floor and precast concrete frame with wall construction.
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
Featured image credit: TW/SAM, Google
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