Mindanao 7.7M earthquake triggered by plate subduction: BMKG

Manado, North Sulawesi (ANTARA) - The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported that a magnitude 7.7 tectonic earthquake on the southern coast of Mindanao, Philippines, on Monday morning at 6:37 a.m. was caused by plate subduction activity.

"Considering the location of the epicenter and the depth of the hypocenter, this was a shallow earthquake caused by plate subduction activity," Wijayanto, BMKG's Director of Earthquakes and Tsunamis, said in a statement on Monday.

Analysis of the source mechanism indicated that the earthquake involved a thrust fault.

The earthquake was felt in Morotai City, North Halmahera, at an intensity of IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale, which is felt by many people indoors during the day, causing pottery to break, windows and doors to creak, and walls to make noise. Meanwhile, North Gorontalo District experienced an intensity of III-IV MMI.

Furthermore, the shaking reached an intensity of III MMI in Batang Dua, Ternate, West Halmahera, Gorontalo, South Halmahera, East Halmahera, Parigi Moutong, Manado, Minahasa, Palu, Bitung, Boltim, and Central Halmahera, where vibrations were clearly felt inside homes as if a truck were passing.

To date, there have been no reports of damage caused by the earthquake.

Modeling results indicate that this earthquake has the potential to cause a tsunami. A tsunami alert status was issued for Minahasa District, Bolaang Mongondow, Manado City, North Minahasa District, South Minahasa District, Buol, Sangihe Islands, Gorontalo, Talaud Islands, Minahasa Islands, Toli-Toli, Palu City, Donggala, Ternate City, and Bitung City.

Meanwhile, a tsunami watch status was raised for Tidore City, Bulungan, Nunukan, Halmahera, Tarakan City, North Halmahera, East Kutai, South Minahasa, Bontang City, and Berau.

The agency has urged residents in areas under alert status to immediately evacuate from coastal regions and seek higher ground, while those under watch status are advised to stay away from beaches and riverbanks.

As of 7:11 a.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB), BMKG monitoring results indicated two aftershocks, with the largest registering magnitudes of 6.7 and 5.9.

The earthquake struck at 6:37:42 a.m. WIB on Monday, June 8, 2026. According to the updated parameters from BMKG, the epicenter was located at coordinates 5.80° N and 125.14° E, precisely at sea at a distance of 244 kilometers northwest of Karatung Island, North Sulawesi, at a depth of 47 kilometers.

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Translator: Karel Alexander, Resinta Sulistiyandari

Editor: Arie Novarina

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