Earthquake Hits Sunda Strait, Twice Monitored BMKG

JAKARTA - The Bureau of Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG) informs twice the occurrence of earthquakes that shake the Sunda Strait due to local fault activity.

"The earthquake that occurred is a type of shallow earthquake due to local fault activity", said Head of BMKG Earthquake and Tsunami Center, Bambang Setiyo Prayitno in his statement in Jakarta to Antara, Sunday 23 May.

Bambang said that judging by the epicenter of the first earthquake located at coordinates of 6.59 LS and 105.45 BT or precisely located in the sea at 17 kilometers northwest of Sumur, Pandeglang Regency, Banten at a depth of 10 kilometers.

The second earthquake was located at coordinates 6.64 LS and 105.43 BT or precisely located in the sea at a distance of 16 kilometers northwest of Sumur, Pandeglang Regency, Banten at a depth of 10 kilometers.

The results of the analysis of the source mechanism show that earthquakes have a mechanism of movement of the fault up (thrust fault).

BMKG preliminary info shows the first earthquake at 10.48 WIB has the initial parameters of the first earthquake M5.0. Then the second earthquake at 10.50 WIB with a magnitude of M5.4 which was subsequently upgraded to M4.9 and M5.2.

The earthquake shock was felt in Kalapnunggal, Sukabumi, Labuan, Munjul, Rangkasbitung, Banjarsari, Cileles, Cirinten, and Bayah II-III MMI (Vibration felt real in the house. It felt as if the truck was passing).

Until now there have been no reports of damage caused by the earthquake. The modeling results showed that the earthquake was not potentially a tsunami.

"Until Sunday, May 23, 2021, at 11.40 WIB, after the two earthquakes, BMKG monitoring results showed 6 times aftershock activity with a magnitude range of M2.8 to M4.6", said Bambang.

Bambang urged the public to remain calm and not be affected by issues that cannot be accounted for, and avoid buildings that are cracked or damaged caused by the earthquake.

Check and make sure the residential building is earthquake resistant enough, or there is no damage from earthquake vibrations that endanger the stability of the building before returning to the house, said Bambang Setiyo Prayitno.