Shallow Earthquake In Sunda Strait Due To Active Fault Activities

Screenshot of the earthquake center map in the Sunda Strait, Banten with a magnitude of 5.4 at 11.24.49 WIB, Wednesday (10/5/2023). BETWEEN/HO-BMKG

JAKARTA - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said that shallow earthquakes rocked the Sunda Strait, Banten due to active fault activity.

Head of the BMKG Earthquake and Tsunami Center, Daryono, explained that the epicenter of the earthquake was located at sea at coordinates 6.49 south latitude and 104.84 east longitude at a distance of 84 km northwest of Sumur, Banten at a depth of 10 km.

"By paying attention to the location of the epicenter and the depth of the hypocenter, the earthquake that occurred was a shallow type of earthquake due to active fault activity," he explained as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, May 10.

He explained that the results of the analysis of the source mechanism showed that the earthquake had a sliding mechanism (strike-slip).

The results of the BMKG analysis, he continued, showed that this earthquake had updated parameters with a magnitude of 5.2.

The earthquake that occurred at 11.24.49 WIB in the Sunda Strait region had an impact and was felt in the Pandeglang area with an intensity scale of III MMI (Modified Mercally Intensity), meaning that the vibration felt real in the house, felt vibration as if a truck had passed.

The earthquake was also felt in the Sukabumi, Lebak, Serang, Cilegon areas with an intensity scale of II-III MMI. Then, in the South Tangerang and Bogor areas with an intensity scale of II MMI (vibrations were felt by several people, light objects that were hung swayed).

"The modeling results show that this earthquake has no potential for a tsunami," he said.

As of 11.40 WIB, it was stated that the results of BMKG monitoring had not shown any aftershock activity.

Daryono appealed to the public to avoid buildings that were cracked or damaged by the earthquake.

"Check and make sure the building where you live is earthquake-resistant enough, or there is no damage due to earthquake vibrations that endanger the stability of the building before you return to the house," he said.

In addition, he also appealed to the public to remain calm and not be influenced by issues that cannot be justified.