BMKG Records 72 Aftershocks in Central Sulawesi in Past 4 Days

TEMPO.CO, Palu - The Palu Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded 72 small-scale aftershocks in the past four days, after a magnitude 5.8 earthquake that rocked Sigi Regency, Central Sulawesi, on March 28.

"Two of the 72 aftershocks were (physically) felt by the people there," said Palu BMKG Class I Geophysics Station Chief of Information and Data, Hendrik Leopatty, in Palu, Wednesday, April 1.

According to BMKG, 44 aftershocks occured on March 29, from 00:00 to 12:00 local time. It is reduced to 21 on the second day and six on the third day. 

On the fourth day, March 31, there was only a single small-scale aftershock, measuring 2.6 on the Richter scale. It occurred 10 kilometers west of Doda, Poso Regency, that coincided with a magnitude 3.9 earthquake in Tomini Bay, 72 kilometers south of Gorontalo Province, outside of the aforementioned aftershock zone in Doda.

“Earthquakes do not recognize administrative borders, so the fault lines have a very high potential to cause shocks, due to the fault activities where they cross," said Hendrik.

On Wednesday morning, April 1, at around 01:37 local time, shocks still occurred 10 kilometers west of the Doda region, Poso Regency, with a magnitude measuring 2.9 on the Richter scale.

Hendrik warned the people to remain calm and to increase their vigilance on information that has no clear source, in order to prevent the spread of hoaxes.

"In the event of a strong quake, do not remain inside the house, try to at least get out into the yard, but still pay attention to the warnings (of physical distancing) set by the government to prevent COVID-19 transmission," he added.

ANTARA | DIO SUHENDA (Intern Translator)