An Earthquake With A Magnitude Of 6.1 In The Banda Sea Due To Subduction Activities

JAKARTA - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) announced a tectonic earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 in the Banda Sea region, Central Maluku, Maluku due to the Banda subduction slab pull activity.

"The results of the BMKG analysis show that this earthquake has updated parameters with a magnitude of 6.1," said the Head of the BMKG Earthquake and Tsunami Center, Daryono, reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, August 29.

He said the epicenter of the earthquake was located at coordinates 5.59 south latitude and 129.99 east longitude, or to be precise, located in the sea at a distance of 279 km to the southeast of Central Maluku, Maluku at a depth of 221 km.

"The modeling results show that this earthquake has no potential for a tsunami," he said.

By paying attention to the location of the epicenter and the depth of the hypocenter, the earthquake that occurred was a medium-sized earthquake due to the Banda subduction's slab pull activity.

"The results of the analysis of the source mechanism show that earthquakes have a downward movement mechanism (normal fault)," he explained.

The earthquake that occurred on Tuesday (29/8), at 11.34.46 a.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB) had an impact and was felt in the Banda and Saumlaki areas with an intensity scale of II-III MMI (modified mercally intensity), meaning that the vibrations were felt in real houses, felt vibrations as if a truck passed.

The earthquake was also felt in the Waipirit, Tual, Masohi,gulung, Dobo, Laburan and Sorong areas with an intensity scale of II MMI (vibration felt by several people, light hanging objects swayed).

Daryono said that as of 12.00 p.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB), the BMKG monitoring results had not shown any aftershock activity.

People are advised to avoid buildings that are cracked or damaged by the earthquake.

"Check and make sure the building where you live is sufficiently earthquake-resistant, or that there is no damage due to earthquake vibrations that could endanger the stability of the building before you return to the house," he said.

BMKG also appealed to the public to remain calm and not be affected by issues whose truth cannot be accounted for.