Indonesia: Magnitude-5.2 offshore earthquake strikes off Central Sulawesi Province at around 0957 WITA Jan. 11

Event

A magnitude-5.2 earthquake occurred in the Celebes Sea off Central Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, at around 0957 WITA Jan. 11. The epicenter was about 216 km (134 miles) north of Palu, Central Sulawesi Province. The tremor occurred at a depth of around 14 km (9 miles). Light shaking probably was felt in northern Central Sulawesi Province, while weak-to-light shaking may have occurred in western Gorontalo and northeastern East Kalimantan provinces. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are possible over the coming days. Officials have not issued any tsunami warnings.

Authorities may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.