Geological Agency: Earthquake 5.8 Gunungkidul Does Not Cause Follow-up Impact

JAKARTA - The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources said that the 5.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked Gunungkidul on Monday (26/8/2024) night did not cause any further effects such as soil cracks in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY). "Not causing additional surface faults or hazards such as soil cracks, land movement, and liquefaction," said Head of the Geological Agency M Wafid in his statement in Jakarta quoted from ANTARA. Wafid also explained that the earthquake did not trigger a tsunami even though the epicenter was in the sea of the South Waters region of DIY at coordinates 110.27 BT - 8.78 LS. However, he reminded the people of DIY and its surroundings to remain vigilant because according to Geological Agency data, most areas that felt this earthquake were in the Disaster Prone Area (KRB) for earthquakes with intermediate to high categories. Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) DIY reported that the earthquake had caused a tile fall in Prambanan Market, Sleman, but no casualties. "For residents whose houses suffered damage, they were advised to evacuate to safer places according to the direction of local BPBD officers," Wafid said. Previously, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported that an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.8 occurred on Monday evening at 19.57 WIB. Up to 20.45 WIB, BMKG noted that there had occurred 11 aftershocks with a magnitude of 4.0 and the smallest 2.6.BMKG explained that the series of such earthquakes were medium and shallow, caused by deformation of rocks in the inter-plate contact area in the Indian Ocean region, south of Gunung Kidul, DIY. The results of the analysis show that this earthquake had an upward movement mechanism (thrust).

The BMKG analysis model shows that the earthquake had an impact and was felt in Sleman, Yogyakarta, Kulonprogo, and Bantul areas with an intensity scale of III-IV MMI. This earthquake was also felt in Karangkares, Malang, Pacitan, Nganjuk, Trenggalek, Madiun, Kediri, Blitar, Cilacap, Banyumas, Solo, Surakarta, and Klaten with an intensity scale of II-III MMI.