Shallow M6.7 earthquake hits Central Sulawesi, Indonesia (Updated)

A shallow M6.7 earthquake was recorded at 03:27 UTC on June 16, 2026, approximately 43 km (27 miles) east-southeast of Palu, Indonesia. According to USGS, the earthquake hit at a depth of 10.0 km (6.2 miles), with the epicenter located at coordinates 120.2°E, 1.1°S.

The location of the quake places it in Central Sulawesi province, an area known for both inland and coastal settlements, with Palu as the nearest major city. The region surrounding the coordinates is characterized by a mix of urban centers and rural communities.

Given the proximity to Palu and the spread of urban and rural infrastructure, critical assets in the area may include regional highways, airports, seaports, and energy distribution networks commonly found in central Sulawesi.

There is no tsunami threat associated with this earthquake, based on its location and available data.

USGS issued a yellow alert for this event, indicating that some casualties or damage are possible. The maximum estimated intensity is VIII. Two felt reports were submitted to USGS. The significance index is 691 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), based on magnitude, felt reports, and estimated impact.

Central Sulawesi lies near the boundary between several active tectonic plates, including the Australian Plate and the Eurasian Plate, making the region susceptible to seismic activity due to crustal interactions and fault lines.

This information was last updated at 03:58 UTC on June 16, 2026.