Sulawesi lies within the complex zone of interaction between the Australian, Pacific, Philippine and Sunda plates in which many small microplates are developed. The main active structure onshore in the western part of Central Sulawesi is the left-lateral NNW-SSE Palu-Korostrike-slip fault that forms the boundary between the North Sula and Makassar blocks.[2]
Six people were killed by falling debris and tons of mud, including a nine-year-old boy. 43 others were injured, including 8 in critical condition. 471 homes were destroyed and 1,097 damaged in the epicentral area. Landslides also blocked roads and some bridges.[3][4]
^National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): NCEI/WDS Global Significant Earthquake Database. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. "Significant Earthquake Information". Retrieved 22 November 2024.