Earthquake In South Kalimantan Triggered By Break Activities Of Meratus Mountains

The view of Halau Halau Mountain in the Meratus Mountains, East Batang Alai District, Hulu Sungai Tengah Regency, South Kalimantan, some time ago. (Between/Bayu Pratama S)

JAKARTA - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported that the activity of the Meratus Mountains faults resulted in six tectonic earthquakes with different magnitudes in South Kalimantan.

Head of Balikpapan BMKG Geophysics Station Rasmid in a written statement in Banjarmasin, Sunday, said that in the past five days there have been six tectonic earthquakes, the first with a magnitude of 4.7 occurred on land at a distance of 19 kilometers northeast of Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan, on Tuesday (13/2) at around 09.22 WITA.

The first earthquake was felt in Banjarmasin City, Marabahan (Barito Kuala Regency), Tapin Regency. Then parts of Central Kalimantan, namely in Sampit City, Palangkaraya, and Pulang Pisau," he said as quoted by Antara.

Then, on the same day at around 15:09 WITA, aftershocks with a magnitude of 3.3 occurred on land at a distance of 22 kilometers northeast of Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan, at a depth of 10 kilometers.

"This aftershock or the second earthquake, rocked Connect Makmur District (Banjar Regency), the vibration was felt real inside the house as if the truck was passing," said Rasmid.

Then, a tectonic earthquake measuring magnitude 4.1 occurred again on land at a distance of 15 kilometers northeast of Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan, at a depth of 10 kilometers, on Wednesday (14/2) at around 02.32 WITA.

Based on BMKG monitoring until 04.11 WITA on the same day, aftershocks occurred twice.

The third earthquake was accompanied by two aftershocks within 99 minutes, said Rasmid, shaking Hantangun and Pengaron (Banjar Regency) sub-districts, vibrations felt real inside the house as if a truck had passed.

Furthermore, a tectonic earthquake with a magnitude of 3.2 occurred on land again at a distance of 26 kilometers southeast of Hulu Sungai Tengah Regency, South Kalimantan, at a depth of 10 kilometers, on Sunday (18/2) at around 12:32 WITA.

Rasmid said the sixth earthquake rocked Hatungun District ( Tapin Regency), the vibration felt real and inside the house as if a truck had passed.

He ensured that all earthquake events did not have the potential for a tsunami, and there had been no reports of damage to buildings due to the earthquake.