Adang Fault Triggers 5.3 Magnitude Earthquake in Sintang, West Kalimantan

Jakarta (ANTARA) — The Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG) stated that the 5.3 magnitude earthquake that shook Sintang District, West Kalimantan on Friday morning was triggered by activity along the Adang Fault.

The Acting Director of Earthquake and Tsunami at BMKG, Rahmat Triyono, stated in Jakarta that the earthquake was a shallow-type earthquake caused by activity along the Adang Fault based on BMKG’s analysis of the epicentre location and hypocentre depth.

“The analysis of source mechanisms shows that the earthquake had a shear movement mechanism or strike slip,” he said.

BMKG had previously reported that the tectonic earthquake occurred on Friday at 03.04 WIB, just before dawn during Ramadan fasting times for worshippers.

The earthquake tremor was felt in the Sintang and Sanggau areas with an intensity scale of III MMI, describing vibrations felt distinctly inside buildings, similar to the effect of a passing truck.

Vibrations were also felt in Katingan and Melawi with an intensity scale of II MMI, felt by several people and causing light suspended objects to sway.

BMKG stated that thus far there were no reported damage impacts from the earthquake, and modelling results indicated the earthquake had no tsunami potential.

Nevertheless, BMKG urged the public to remain calm and not be influenced by unverifiable rumours, whilst remaining vigilant regarding the impact of aftershocks by ensuring the condition of residential buildings was safe before resuming activities inside homes.