BMKG Describes 9 Active Earthquake Zones To Watch Out For

Illustration / bmkg.go.id

JAKARTA - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said there were nine active earthquake zones in August 2020 and it is possible that it could continue in September.

BMKG Head of Earthquake and Tsunami Early Warning Information Daryono said the zone was in Banda Aceh, Bengkulu, the Sunda Strait, West Java, East Java, Sumba, Sigi and Matano, North Maluku, and Sarmi Papua.

"We need to recognize these clusters, which next month there will still be earthquake activity. It is not certain that there will be significant earthquakes in this cluster, but we need to increase vigilance," said Daryono in a virtual discussion, Monday, August 31.

The area most actively experiencing earthquakes occurred in West Sumba Regency. The earthquake occurred on August 5 with a magnitude of 5.5, followed by a series of aftershocks 527 times and felt as many as 7 times.

"This earthquake did not cause any damage or casualties. The source of the earthquake has not been mapped on the geological and tectonic maps," he said.

BMKG recorded 804 earthquakes that occurred in August. With details, earthquakes above 5 magnitudes are 27 times and below 5 are 777 times.

"The earthquake was felt 49 times," said Daryono.

Daryono continued, the earthquake activity in August increased from July. Earthquakes with a magnitude of more than 5 M in July were only 12 times and a magnitude less than 5 M totaling 529 times.

"There were 541 earthquakes in July. However, there were more earthquakes felt in July than August, which was 64 times," he explained.

The most destructive earthquake during August occurred on August 19, in Sungai Gerong Village, Lebong Regency.

This destructive earthquake is a twin earthquake (double earthquake), with a magnitude of 6.6 M and 6.7 M. "This earthquake caused 16 aftershocks," he added.