M5.5 Earthquake Shakes Sunda Strait, No Tsunami Threat

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported that a magnitude 5.5 earthquake which shook the Sunda Strait region, several kilometres from Banten Province, early Wednesday morning did not have the potential to trigger a tsunami. Director of Earthquakes and Tsunamis at BMKG, Wijayanto, stated in Jakarta on Wednesday that based on an analysis of updated parameters, the earthquake was caused by plate subduction activity. “The earthquake has an upward movement mechanism, or thrust fault, with a hypocentre depth of 43 kilometres. Modelling results show no tsunami potential,” he said. He explained that the earthquake’s epicentre was located at geographic coordinates 6.83° South latitude and 105.04° East longitude, precisely at sea, 62 kilometres southwest of Sumur, Pandeglang Regency, Banten. The BMKG Earthquake Directorate team confirmed, based on shake map estimates and public reports, that the tremor’s effects were felt in the Sumur District, several other areas in Pandeglang, and Bogor Regency in West Java, with an intensity scale of IV-III MMI. An intensity scale of IV MMI indicates that shaking during the day is felt by many people indoors, a few people outdoors, and causes pottery to break, windows or doors to rattle, and walls to make sounds. For intensity scale III MMI, the vibration feels as if a large truck is passing by. No signs of aftershock activity were detected by the BMKG system, at least until 03:05 WIB. BMKG urged the wider public to remain calm and not be influenced by the spread of unverifiable issues. For residents in the affected areas, he reminded them to carefully check the condition of their respective homes or dwellings and to avoid buildings that have cracked or been damaged by the earthquake’s impact to ensure safety.