BMKG: Kupang Earthquake Triggered by Subduction Activity

Kupang (ANTARA) - The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) stated that the tectonic earthquake with a magnitude of 5.3 that shook the Kupang region of East Nusa Tenggara on Sunday (26 July) at 18.57 Central Indonesian Time was a shallow earthquake caused by subduction activity and did not have the potential to trigger a tsunami.

Head of the Kupang Geophysics Station, Arief Tyastama, explained in Kupang on Sunday night that the earthquake’s epicentre was located on land, about 18 kilometres northeast of Kupang, at coordinates 10.16 degrees South Latitude and 123.77 degrees East Longitude, at a depth of 44 kilometres.

“The analysis shows that this earthquake was a shallow quake triggered by subduction activity. The source mechanism of the earthquake was a thrust fault,” he said.

BMKG confirmed that modelling results showed the earthquake did not have tsunami potential.

Based on the shake map, the earthquake’s intensity reached level V on the MMI scale in Sulamu, West Fatuleu, East Kupang, and the town of Oelamasi.

Meanwhile, shaking with an intensity of IV MMI was felt in Kupang City, So’e in South Central Timor Regency (TTS), Kefamenanu in North Central Timor Regency (TTU), and Ba’a in Rote Ndao Regency.

Shaking at this level was felt by many people inside their homes, and some residents were reported to have rushed out of buildings.

As of 19.24 Central Indonesian Time, BMKG had not recorded any aftershock activity. BMKG urged the public to remain calm and not to readily believe unverified information.

Residents were also asked to avoid buildings damaged by the earthquake and to continue monitoring official information issued by BMKG through its official communication channels.

Meanwhile, ANTARA’s observations at a shopping centre in Kupang City at the time of the quake showed residents scattering outside in panic. Several residents who were having dinner had to stop and leave the premises.

“There were two tremors. The first felt small but the second one was stronger,” said Lia, a visitor at the shopping centre.