Magnitude 4.6 Earthquake Strikes Tolitoli on Friday Evening

RRI.CO.ID, Tolitoli - A magnitude 4.6 earthquake struck Tolitoli Regency, Central Sulawesi, on Friday evening, January 16, 2026. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded the seismic event at 8:41 p.m. local time.

Acting Head of BMKG Region IV, Nasrol Adil, said that the earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of two kilometers. "The earthquake hit at a depth of two kilometers and does not pose a tsunami threat," Nasrol confirmed in a statement issued from Palu on Friday, January 16, 2026.

BMKG identified the epicenter at coordinates 1.40 degrees North Latitude (N) and 120.93 degrees East Longitude (E). The center of the quake was located at the sea, approximately 61 kilometers north of Tolitoli Regency.

According to Nasrol, the tremor was a shallow earthquake triggered by active fault movements. "This event is classified as a shallow earthquake resulting from active fault activity," he explained.

The impact was felt by residents in the Tolitoli area at an intensity scale of III to IV Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI). Despite the tremors, BMKG has yet to record any aftershocks or received reports of structural damage.

"As of now, BMKG monitoring indicates no aftershock activity. There have also been no reports of damage caused by this earthquake," said Nasrol.

BMKG urges the public to remain calm and disregard unverified information. Residents are advised to stay updated with official reports regarding seismic activity through BMKG’s authorized channels. (Annaila Azzahra/Sri Wahyuni)