BMKG: M 5.1 Earthquake in West Nias Has No Tsunami Potential

Illustration of earthquakes. (Unsplash)

NIAS - The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said that an earthquake measuring magnitude (M) 5.1 in the West Nias region, North Sumatra (North Sumatra) did not have the potential for a tsunami.

"The modeling results show that this earthquake does not have the potential for a tsunami," said Head of the BMKG Earthquake and Tsunami Center, Daryono in Jakarta, Tuesday, January 9, as reported by Antara.

He explained that the earthquake that occurred on Tuesday, January 9, at 11.45.08 a.m. Western Indonesian TIme (WIB) had updated parameters with M M 5.0.

He added that the epicenter of the earthquake was located at coordinates 0.17 north latitude and 96.58 east longitude, or precisely located in the sea at a distance of 132 km southwest of West Nias 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 rock deformation in the outer rise zone (outside the subduction zone)," he explained.

He added that the results of the source mechanism analysis showed that the earthquake had a downward movement mechanism (normal fault).

Daryono said that based on the estimated shaking map (shakemap), this earthquake caused shaking in the West Nias area with an intensity scale of II MMI (modified mercury intensity), meaning that the vibrations were felt by several people, light objects that were hanging swaying.

"Until now there have been no reports of the impact of damage caused by the earthquake," he said.

He said that as of 12.00 p.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB), BMKG monitoring results had not shown any aftershock activity.

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

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

Apart from that, he also appealed to the public to remain calm and not be influenced by issues whose truth cannot be justified.