BMKG: M6.4 Earthquake in Simalungun Has No Tsunami Potential

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has stated that a tectonic earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 occurred on Saturday at 17.54.52 WIB in the Simalungun region of North Sumatra and does not have tsunami potential.

“BMKG analysis results show that the earthquake has updated parameters with a magnitude of M6.4 at a depth of 168 km,” said BMKG Director of Earthquakes and Tsunamis Wijayanto in a statement received in Medan on Saturday evening.

He said the epicentre of the earthquake was located at coordinates 2.91° N; 98.93° E, or precisely located on land 11 km southeast of Simalungun.

Tsunami modelling results show that this earthquake does not have tsunami potential.

Taking into account the location of the epicentre and the depth of the hypocentre, the earthquake that occurred is a type of intermediate-depth earthquake caused by plate subduction activity.

Source mechanism analysis results show that the earthquake has an oblique normal fault mechanism.

Based on the estimated shaking intensity map (shakemap), the earthquake was felt with an intensity scale of V MMI in Tebingtinggi City, Kabanjahe City and Limapuluh City.

Meanwhile, an intensity of IV MMI was felt in Raya, Simalungun; Panombeian Pane, Simalungun; Panei, Simalungun; Pematangsiantar City; and Pangururan City.

As of 18.16.00 WIB, BMKG monitoring results have not shown any aftershock activity.

BMKG will continue to monitor aftershock activity and provide updated information to stakeholders and the public.

The public is urged to remain calm and not be influenced by issues whose truth cannot be accounted for, and to avoid buildings that are cracked or damaged as a result of the earthquake.