The United States Geological Survey recorded a Magnitude 5.7 Earthquake at a depth of 46.2 km, approximately 50 km off the north coast of Sulawesi, slightly after 5.40 am local time on Tuesday 10 September 2013 (slightly after 9.40 pm on Monday 9 September, GMT) This is a reasonably large quake, with the potential to be dangerous. However is occurred some way offshore, and at some depth, and there are no reports of any damage or injuries.
The approximate location of the 10 September 2013 North Sulawesi Earthquake. Google Maps.
The tectonic situation beneath Sulawesi is complex, as it is caught in the collisional zone between the Eurasian, Pacific and Australian Plates. The north of the island is located on a breakaway section of the Eurasian Plate, called the Sangihe Plate. To the east lies the remnant Molucca Sea Plate, which is being subducted beneath both the Sangihe Plate and the more easterly Halmahera Plate, leading to Earthquakes and volcanism on Sulawesi and the islands of the Sangihe Ard in the west and the islands of the Halmahera Arc in the east.
See also Explosive eruption on Mount Lokon, Eruption on Mount Lokon, Sulawesi, Earthquake hits Sulawesi, Eruptions from the Tompaluan Crater, Lokon-Empung, Sulawesi and Mount Soputan, Sulawesi, erupts.
Follow Sciency Thoughts on Facebook.
