M5.6 Pacitan Earthquake Felt as Far as Yogyakarta, No Tsunami Potential

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake occurred in the southeast region of Pacitan, East Java, on Saturday (27/6). The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported the quake struck at 14:47:21 WIB, located at 8.96 degrees south latitude and 111.16 degrees east longitude, approximately 86 kilometres southeast of Pacitan, at a depth of 10 kilometres. The BMKG later confirmed in a press release that the earthquake had no potential to trigger a tsunami. Tremors were felt over a wide area, with community reports indicating shaking was experienced as far as the Yogyakarta Special Region and several areas in southern Central Java. BMKG Director of Earthquakes and Tsunamis Wijayanto stated that the earthquake was felt at an intensity of III MMI in Pacitan, Wonogiri, Tulungagung, and Blitar, where vibrations were clearly felt indoors, resembling a passing truck. An intensity of II MMI was reported in Kulon Progo, Bantul, Sleman, Yogyakarta, Trenggalek, Malang, Nganjuk, Magetan, Klaten, Ponorogo, and Jember, where light hanging objects swayed. Wijayanto said the BMKG will continue to monitor aftershock activity and provide updated information to stakeholders and the public. He urged residents to remain calm and not be influenced by unverified rumours, and to avoid buildings that are cracked or damaged due to the earthquake. Based on updated parameters, the earthquake’s magnitude was revised to M5.3 at a depth of 53 kilometres. The epicentre was located at sea, 96 kilometres southeast of Pacitan. Considering the epicentre location and hypocentre depth, the earthquake was classified as a shallow quake caused by plate subduction activity, with source mechanism analysis indicating a thrust fault movement.