Shallow magnitude 4.8 earthquake in Jember Sea felt as far as Bali

A magnitude 5.1 tectonic earthquake initially reported in the Jember Sea, East Java, was later updated to 4.8 by the Indonesian Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG). The quake, which struck at 15:39:10 WIB on Tuesday (26 May), was felt as far as Bali.

BMKG Director of Earthquake and Tsunami Dr Wijayanto said the epicentre was located at 9.07°S, 113.82°E, 99 km southeast of Jember in the sea, at a depth of 14 km.

He explained the shallow earthquake resulted from rock deformation within the tectonic plate, with a strike-slip movement mechanism.

The quake was felt in Jember, Banyuwangi, and Bondowoso with intensity IV on the MMI scale, meaning widespread indoor shaking. It was also felt in Kuta, South Kuta, Denpasar, Bali, and Malang, with noticeable vibrations described as similar to a passing truck. Shaking was reported in Blitar and Trenggalek.

Modelling confirmed no tsunami risk, and BMKG monitoring detected no aftershocks as of 15:55 WIB.