BMKG Reveals Tsunami Detected in Indonesia Following M7.7 Sulawesi Sea Earthquake, Wave Height Reaches 18 cm
The Indonesian Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) has confirmed the presence of tsunami waves detected in several regions of Indonesia following a tectonic earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 that struck the Sulawesi Sea on Monday morning, 8 June 2026.
Based on BMKG monitoring, the recorded tsunami wave heights range between 9 and 18 centimetres across three observation points located in North Sulawesi and North Maluku.
BMKG Deputy for Geophysics, Nelly Florida Riama, stated that tsunamis were observed in Ulu Siau and Melonguane, North Sulawesi, as well as at one monitoring station in North Maluku. Although the detected wave heights are considered small, BMKG has requested that residents in coastal areas increase their vigilance and comply with all directions provided by local authorities.
Tsunami detected at three observation points
BMKG noted that sea level anomalies resulting from the earthquake were detected through various tsunami monitoring instruments distributed across eastern Indonesia. The emerging tsunami waves have heights between 9 and 18 centimetres. While not considered large, this phenomenon serves as evidence that the powerful earthquake in the Sulawesi Sea indeed triggered the movement of seawater masses.
According to Nelly, BMKG’s tsunami modelling indicates that several coastal areas still have the potential to experience sea level rises categorised under ‘alert’ or ‘warning’ statuses. Therefore, the public is urged not to ignore the warnings issued and to continue following official information updates from BMKG.
“We urge the public to continue following the information released by BMKG. Based on our modelling, several areas remain under alert status with projected tsunami heights falling into the alert and warning categories,” she said during a press conference in Jakarta on Monday.
BMKG continues to monitor sea conditions in real time
BMKG, alongside relevant agencies, is currently conducting intensive monitoring of sea conditions using various tsunami detection instruments. Monitoring is being conducted in real time via tide gauges and tsunami early warning systems distributed across various coastal regions of Indonesia.