Very strong and shallow M6.8 earthquake hits Sulawesi, Indonesia

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A very strong and shallow M6.8 earthquake hit Sulawesi, Indonesia on May 29, 2017.

The dangerous quake was followed by 3 aftershocks with magnitudes ranging between 4.7 and 5.0.

M6.8 earthquake hits sulawesi indonesia may 29 2017
A M6.8 earthquake hits Sulawesi, Indonesia on May 29, 2017. map via USGS

The earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.9 struck 130 kilometres southeast of the Indonesian city of Palu on the island of Sulawesi at 14:35 UTC (21:35 local time) on May 29, 2017.

The shallow earthquake’s epicenter was situated at a depth of 9.6 km (5.9 miles) in a populated region with more than 1 million people living within 100 km (62 miles).

M6.8 earthquake hits sulawesi indonesia may 29 2017
A building that collapsed in Poso after being rocked by a magnitude 6.6 earthquake on Monday. Photo via Kumparan
M6.8 earthquake hits sulawesi indonesia may 29 2017
Another building that collapsed in Poso after the M6.8 earthquake that hit Sulawesi. Photo via Kumparan
M6.8 earthquake hits sulawesi indonesia may 29 2017
Some shops have also experienced the rumbles of the M6.8 earthquake in Sulawesi. Photo via Facebook

The strong quake was followed by 3 moderately-strong earthquakes at the exact same location and the same depth:

M 6.8 – 27km NW of Kasiguncu, Indonesia
M 4.7 – 16km NW of Kasiguncu, Indonesia
M 5.0 – 15km NW of Kasiguncu, Indonesia
M 4.9 – 22km W of Kasiguncu, Indonesia

The Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics said there was no threat of a tsunami following the quake.

First estimations show that about 30,000 people have felt very strong shaking.

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