Loud Boom Heard in Gorontalo; BMKG Confirms Not an Earthquake

Gorontalo (ANTARA) - The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has confirmed that the loud booming sound heard in several regions of Gorontalo did not originate from tectonic or volcanic earthquakes.

Andri Wijaya, Head of the Gorontalo Class II Geophysical Station, stated that BMKG sensors detected seismic waves around the time residents reported hearing the boom.

“At 00:18 WITA, we indeed received reports from the public regarding a loud booming sound, and between 00:15 WITA and 00:20 WITA, our sensors detected seismic waves that triggered vibrations during that period,” Andri said in Gorontalo on Saturday.

However, based on BMKG’s analysis, the recorded waves did not originate from tectonic or volcanic earthquake activity. BMKG has not yet been able to confirm the source of the loud boom.

“Regarding CCTV footage sent by the public, the data can be verified as it includes timestamps of the incident. However, what we observed was merely a bright light or a significant flash of light that appeared to flicker before dimming,” he added.

Regarding suspicions that the boom may have been caused by a meteor, Andri stated that BMKG does not yet have sufficient data to confirm this. According to him, visual or material data showing the characteristics of a meteor strike is required to conclude that the source was a meteor.

“So far, there is no data or analysis conducted to suggest that the loud booming sound originated from a falling meteor,” he said.

Information received from the public remains varied, with suspicions that the source of the boom lies in North Gorontalo, Bone Bolango, or Dulamayo in the Gorontalo Regency.

“We cannot yet confirm what the sound was, but coordination with relevant parties, such as the Indonesian Air Force, is ongoing,” said Andri.