A powerful magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck North Sulawesi (Sulut), Indonesia on Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 05:48 WIB. The earthquake’s epicenter was located at coordinates 1.25°N latitude and 126.27°E longitude, with a depth of 62 km.
The Indonesian Meteorological Agency (BMKG) classified this earthquake as a megathrust earthquake — the most powerful type occurring at tectonic plate subduction zones. Megathrust quakes happen when oceanic plates thrust beneath continental plates, storing massive energy capable of triggering destructive tsunamis.
“This is a shallow earthquake classified as a thrust fault,” said BMKG’s Director of Earthquake and Tsunami Information, Rahmat Riyono. “Thrust fault earthquakes have very high tsunami potential compared to horizontal mechanisms.”
BMKG’s Deputy for Geophysics, Nelly Florida Riama, identified three provinces most impacted by the strong quake:
- North Sulawesi (Sulut) — Epicenter location
- North Maluku (Malut) — On the Maluku Sea subduction side
- Gorontalo — Northern Sulawesi region
BMKG immediately issued an early tsunami warning due to the very high tsunami potential. Tsunami waves were recorded in two affected areas. BMKG Chief Teuku Faisal Fathani explained the earthquake resulted from crustal deformation due to Maluku Sea subduction activity.
Several buildings in Manado were reported damaged. Residents in coastal areas of northern Sulawesi and Maluku are advised to remain vigilant for potential aftershocks and tsunamis. BMKG continues to monitor seismic activity in the region.
