BMKG: Kupang Earthquake Has No Tsunami Potential

A tectonic earthquake with a magnitude of 5.3 that struck Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, on Sunday (26/7) at 18:57 Wita has been confirmed as a shallow quake caused by subduction activity. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) stated the earthquake had no tsunami potential.

“Analysis results show this earthquake is a type of shallow quake triggered by subduction activity. The source mechanism of the earthquake is a thrust fault,” said Head of the Kupang Geophysics Station Arief Tyastama in Kupang on Sunday evening.

The BMKG confirmed that modelling results show the earthquake does not have tsunami potential. He explained that the epicentre of the earthquake was on land, approximately 18 kilometres northeast of Kupang, at coordinates 10.16 degrees South Latitude and 123.77 degrees East Longitude, with a depth of 44 kilometres.

Nevertheless, it was conveyed that the shakemap indicated the earthquake intensity reached V MMI in Sulamu, West Fatuleu, East Kupang, and Oelamasi City. At that scale, the earthquake can be felt by almost all residents, and a number of items may fall or shift.

As of 19:24 Wita, BMKG had not recorded any aftershock activity from the earthquake in Kupang, NTT. BMKG urged the public to remain calm and not to easily believe unverified information.

“Residents are also asked to avoid buildings damaged by the earthquake and to continue monitoring official information issued by BMKG through its official communication channels,” Arief stressed.