People Asked To Be Alert, 144 Earthquakes Occur In Bengkulu Throughout 2023

Illustration of earthquake disaster recording equipment (ANTARA)

BENGKULU - The public is asked to remain vigilant, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) of the Kepahiang Regency Geophysics Station noted that from January to March 2023 there have been earthquakes in the Bengkulu Province area 144 times. Head of BMKG Kepahiang Climatology Station Anton Sugiharto said of the 144 times the largest magnitude of the earthquake that occurred was magnitude 5.3 on January 14 which was 55 kilometers southwest of Kaur Regency. "During the period from January to March 27, 2023, the earthquake recorded by BMKG Kepahiang was 144 times," he said when confirmed by ANTARA, Monday, March 27. From that number, he said, the earthquake was felt as many as six earthquakes and no damage was caused. For the lowest earthquake strength occurred during 2023 in Bengkulu Province with a magnitude of 1.6. Of the 144 times the earthquake occurred in the waters of Enggano Island 35 times, North Bengkulu Regency 26 times, Kaur Regency and Seluma Regency 19 times. Then Mukomuko Regency 16 times, South Bengkulu Regency 15 times, Lebong Regency 11 times, Central Bengkulu Regency, and Bengkulu City once. Anton appealed to the public to remain vigilant and always prepare to evacuate if at any time they felt an earthquake. "With these earthquakes, the public can always update information from BMKG," he said. He also asked the entire people of Bengkulu Province not to be provoked by irresponsible information or irresponsible issues.

He said the frequent earthquakes in the Bengkulu region with small strength caused the release of energy on the earth plate to occur continuously, reducing the occurrence of large-power earthquakes. Previously in 2022 the earthquake occurred in Bengkulu as many as 912 times with the largest strength 6.8 magnitudes on November 11 and the lowest 2.3 magnitudes.