5.4 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Selayar Islands Regency

An earthquake measuring magnitude 5.4 struck the Selayar Islands Regency in South Sulawesi on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 22:20 Central Indonesian Time, shaking residents inside buildings across the region. Aktualita.co reported that the shallow tectonic tremor originated at sea, prompting updated assessments from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency regarding its depth and intensity.

Tremors and Shaking Intensities Felt Across the Selayar Islands

The shaking varied across the island regency, reaching intensity IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale in Jampea, where indoor vibrations were noticeable to many people during the day. In Benteng Selayar, tremors registered at intensity III MMI, creating a sensation comparable to a heavy vehicle passing nearby. The nighttime timing of the earthquake made the movement particularly distinct for residents inside residential and commercial structures.

Shallow Tectonic Activity Triggers Fault Movement

Initial data from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency recorded the earthquake at a magnitude of 5.1 with a 10-kilometer depth, located approximately 111 kilometers southeast of Selayar at coordinates 7.07 South Latitude and 120.80 East Longitude in the Flores Sea. Further analysis updated the parameters to a magnitude of 5.4 at a depth of 14 kilometers, with the epicenter adjusted to coordinates 7.16 degrees South Latitude and 120.81 degrees East Longitude, about 121 kilometers southeast of Selayar. Source mechanism analysis showed that normal fault movement drove the shallow seismic activity, allowing the energy to generate noticeable surface shaking.

Tsunami Potential Assessed and Aftershocks Recorded

Although the epicenter was located at sea, modeling results confirmed that the earthquake carried no tsunami potential, meaning coastal residents did not need to evacuate. Agency monitoring tracked at least two aftershocks by 21:45 Western Indonesian Time, with the largest reaching magnitude 3.3. Authorities reported no casualties or significant structural damage as officials continued monitoring seismic developments across the region.