Strong and shallow M6.2 earthquake hits Sulawesi, Indonesia
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 hit Sulawesi, Indonesia at 12:09 UTC on July 26, 2021. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
The epicenter was located 98 km (61 miles) WNW of Luwuk (population 47 778) and 150 km (93 miles) ENE of Poso (population 47 110), Indonesia.
There are about 350 000 people living within 100 km (62 miles).
26 000 people are estimated to have felt strong shaking and 32 000 moderate.
Based on all available data, there is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
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
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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