East Indonesia Hit by 2 Significant Earthquakes, BMKG Asks Residents to Remain Alert
JAKARTA - Two significant earthquakes shook eastern Indonesia on Friday, July 24, from early morning to morning. The first earthquake occurred in Sarmi Regency, Papua, followed by a tectonic earthquake in the southwest sea area of Ternate, North Maluku. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) confirmed that both earthquakes had no potential to cause a tsunami.
The first earthquake shook Sarmi Regency, Papua, at 03.15 WIB with a magnitude of 4.9 and a depth of 10 kilometers. The epicenter was on land about 70 kilometers southeast of Sarmi.
BMKG explained that the earthquake was triggered by the Mamberamo Fault with a strike-slip fault mechanism.
The strongest tremor reached the V-VI MMI intensity in the western East Coast area of Sarmi. On this scale, the tremor was felt by almost all residents, some people scattered out of their houses, and could cause minor damage to buildings.
The tremor was also felt with an intensity of IV MMI in Tor Atas and East Sarmi Beach, III MMI in Sarmi City, II-III MMI in Burmeso, and II MMI in Kobakma and Elelim.
BMKG recorded that as of 03.45 WIB, six aftershocks had occurred with the largest magnitude reaching M4.0. Seismic activity monitoring continues to be carried out to anticipate further developments.
A few hours later, at 05.58 WIB, a tectonic earthquake again shook the Ternate area, North Maluku, with a magnitude of 5.7 at a depth of 27 kilometers.
The epicenter of the earthquake was in the sea about 115 kilometers southwest of Ternate.
According to BMKG, the earthquake was a shallow earthquake triggered by subduction plate activity with a thrust fault mechanism.
The shock was felt quite strongly on Batang Dua Island with an intensity of V MMI. Meanwhile, the Kayoa, Ternate City, and Tondano areas felt IV MMI shocks, while Ternate, Tidore, Jailolo, and Bitung Islands felt III MMI tremors.
BMKG ensures that the earthquake in North Maluku also has no potential to cause a tsunami. Until 06.25 WIB, no aftershock activity has been detected in the region.
BMKG urges the public to remain calm, not easily believe in information that cannot be accounted for, and avoid buildings that have been damaged by earthquakes until they are safe. The public is also asked to follow official information conveyed through BMKG communication channels.