TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) analysed and updated the parameters for the earthquake that occurred on Monday, January 30, 2023, at 03:18:58 Western Indonesian Time (WIB).

Head of the Earth and Tsunami center of BMKG, Daryono, said that the southwest coast of the Talaud Islands, North Sulawesi, was struck by a tectonic earthquake.

The results of the BMKG analysis show that this earthquake has parameter updates with a magnitude of 5.0. The epicentre was located at the coordinates 5.30° North latitude and 126.28° East Longitude, precisely situated in the sea at a distance of 151 kilometres northwest of Melonguane, Talaud Islands, North Sulawesi at a depth of 144 kilometres.

"Analysing the location of the epicentre and the depth of the hypocenter, the earthquake that occurred was an intraslab earthquake with a medium depth due to rock deformation of the Philippine Sea Plate," said Daryono.

The analysis of the source mechanism results indicates that the earthquake has a normal (dip-slip) and strike-slip fault movement, or oblique.

Based on the estimated seismic hazard map, the earthquake caused a quake in the Miangas area, Talaud Islands with an intensity scale of III MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity = estimates the shaking intensity from an earthquake at a specific location by considering its effects on people, objects, and buildings).

In the areas of Gemeh and Essang, the Talaud Islands are felt on the intensity scale of II to III MMI. Currently, there has been no report of damage caused by the earthquake.

The modelling results show the earthquake cannot potentially cause a tsunami. In addition, as of 03:35 WIB, the BMKG monitoring results had not shown any activity of aftershocks.

Daryono requested the resident to remain calm and not be influenced by issues in which the information cannot be justified as true. He also advised avoiding any infrastructure that is being damaged by the earthquake.

MARIA FRANCISCA LAHUR | IMAJI LASAHIDO (INTERN)

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