Viral Video of Receding Sea After M6.7 Palu Quake, BMKG Confirms No Tsunami Potential
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake shook Palu, Central Sulawesi, on Tuesday, 16 June 2026, at approximately 10:27 Western Indonesian Time (WIB). The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has confirmed the earthquake did not have tsunami potential. The statement was issued in response to a viral video showing seawater in Palu Bay appearing to recede. BMKG urged the public to remain calm and not to readily believe unverified information regarding the quake’s impact.
“There is no tsunami potential because the epicentre is on land,” said Hendrik, an observer at the BMKG Class I Geophysics Station in Palu. According to BMKG’s analysis, the earthquake was triggered by an active fault in the region. Its characteristics are that of a shallow earthquake, with the energy source originating from fault movement beneath the surface. The source mechanism assessment indicates the earthquake had a downward or normal fault movement pattern. “The public should not panic and must not be trapped by irresponsible rumours,” Hendrik added.
The warning was issued after video recordings circulated widely on social media regarding the condition of the waters in Palu Bay. In the video, the seawater appeared to recede, raising public fears of an impending tsunami. However, BMKG stressed that the phenomenon was not related to a tsunami threat resulting from the recent earthquake. Based on monitoring and modelling, the earthquake’s epicentre was located on land, meaning it did not meet the conditions to trigger a tsunami.
BMKG recorded the epicentre at coordinates 1.13 degrees South latitude and 120.23 degrees East longitude, approximately 42 kilometres southeast of Palu City. The seismic activity was classified as a shallow earthquake with a depth of about 10 kilometres from the surface. According to the shaking intensity map and instrumentation data compiled by BMKG, the quake’s impact was felt quite strongly in several areas of Sulawesi. In Palu City, vibrations were recorded at an intensity of VI to VII MMI, while in Sigi Regency, the shaking level was at V to VI MMI. Tremors were also felt by residents in several other areas with lower intensities, including Polewali Mandar, Mamasa, Mamuju, Pasangkayu, Pinrang, Parepare, Pohuwato, Boalemo, North Gorontalo Regency, Gorontalo Regency, and North Luwu.