BMKG: Kupang Earthquake Triggered by Subduction Activity

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) stated that a tectonic earthquake with a magnitude of 5.3 that shook the Kupang region, East Nusa Tenggara, on Sunday at 18.57 WITA was a shallow quake triggered by subduction activity and did not have the potential to cause a tsunami. Head of the Kupang Geophysics Station Arief Tyastama explained that the earthquake’s epicentre 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. ‘The analysis shows this quake is a shallow type triggered by subduction activity. The source mechanism is a thrust fault,’ he said. BMKG confirmed that modelling results showed the earthquake had no tsunami potential. Based on the shakemap, the earthquake intensity reached V MMI in Sulamu, West Fatuleu, East Kupang, and Oelamasi City. Meanwhile, tremors with an intensity of IV MMI were felt in Kupang City, So’e in South Central Timor Regency, Kefamenanu in North Central Timor Regency, and Ba’a in Rote Ndao Regency. Vibrations on this scale were felt by many people indoors, and some residents were reported to have rushed out of buildings. As of 19.24 WITA, BMKG had not recorded any aftershock activity. BMKG urged the public to remain calm and not to easily believe unverified information. Residents were also asked to avoid buildings damaged by the earthquake and to continue monitoring official information released by BMKG through its official communication channels. Meanwhile, ANTARA observed that at a shopping centre in Kupang City, residents ran outside in panic. Some residents who were enjoying dinner were forced to stop their activities and leave. ‘The earthquake happened twice. The first one felt small but the second one had bigger shocks,’ said Lia, a visitor at the shopping centre.