Strong Quake Not Trigger Tsunami

Manado (Antara Bali) - An earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale at 8.20 am local time in North Sulawesi did not have the potential for a tsunami, Information Chief of the Winangun Geophysics Station Information Division of the North Sulawesi Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Riyadi said.

"BMKG did not issue a warning, and residents therefore do not have to worry too much," Riyadi said in Manado on Wednesday.

He said the quake which struck 1.51 degrees Northern Latitude and 124.54 degrees Eastern Longitude and felt by residents in Manado city and surroundings, but it was rather shallow and very nearby.

He said the quake was followed by an after shake at 8.32 with an amplitude of 4.9 on the Richter scale 1.59 degrees Northern Latitude and 124.5 degrees Eastern Longitude.

"The after shake struck in the same location in a depth of five kilometers," he said.

In the meantime Head of the North Sulawesi Disaster Eradication Agency Hoyke Makarawung hoped the public remain calm and do their business activities as usual.(IGT)