BMKG: Earthquake in NTT this afternoon triggered by Indo-Australian Plate activity

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG) states that the earthquake shaking North Central Timor in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Tuesday afternoon was triggered by activity in the Indo-Australian Plate collision zone. Acting Director of Earthquakes and Tsunamis at BMKG, Rahmat Triyono, in Jakarta on Tuesday, explained that source mechanism analysis indicates the earthquake features an upward movement mechanism (thrust fault). “Considering the epicentre location and hypocentre depth, the earthquake is a shallow type resulting from activity in the Indo-Australian Plate collision zone,” he said. The epicentre was located at coordinates 9.22 degrees South Latitude (LS) and 124.16 degrees East Longitude (BT), specifically in the sea 54 kilometres northwest of North Central Timor at a depth of 60 kilometres. The earthquake, which occurred at 10:17 WIB, was reported to have impacts and was felt in the Atambua area with an intensity scale of III-IV MMI, and in the Maumere area with an intensity scale of III MMI, where vibrations were distinctly felt indoors as if a truck was passing by. BMKG monitoring results recorded one aftershock activity with a magnitude of M3.2 at least until 10:45. The agency advises the public to remain calm and not be influenced by unverified rumours, and to avoid buildings that are cracked or damaged due to the earthquake.