The First M 4.4 Batang Earthquake Since 2 Decades, BMKG Performs Measurements Knowing The Impact

Illustration of the impact of the earthquake. (Unsplash-Mick Haupt)

JAKARTA - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) of Geophysics Station revealed that the 4.4 magnitude (M) earthquake that occurred in Batang Regency, Central Java (Central Java) was the first time in two decades.

Head of BMKG Banjarnegara Geophysics Station (Stageof) Hery Susanto Wibowo said that his party was conducting a survey to find out the impact of the M 4.4 earthquake that occurred on Sunday, July 7, at 14:35 WIB.

"Currently, we are still at the location to conduct a macro survey to find out the damage and micro-survey with measuring the equipment later," he said when contacted from Purwokerto, Banyumas Regency, Central Java, Monday, July 8, as reported by Antara.

Based on the monitoring of Stageof Banjarnegara, Hery explained that the land earthquake had a depth of 6 kilometers at a distance of 5 kilometers northeast of Batang.

So far, he said, tectonic earthquakes often occur in the southern region of Batang which borders the Dieng Plateau, Banjarnegara Regency.

"That's because tectonic activities in the Dieng area since 2023 are quite good, so earthquakes often occur," he said.

He said the earthquake triggered active fault activity which was suspected to be still a series or canal/incision from the Baribis-Kendeng fault.

Hery then briefly reviewed a study conducted by several experts from the 2017 National Earthquake Study Center (PuSGEN 2017), the magnitude of the earthquake that could potentially occur in the Batang area and the north coast (Pantura) of Central Java could reach more than 6.

"The potential or threat of the earthquake does exist, but we all don't know when the earthquake will occur. As in Cianjur (West Java) it is not known that there were faults and earthquakes, especially for the Batang, Pekalongan, and surrounding areas, there are faults that have the potential for earthquakes, of course, they must be more prepared," he said.

Therefore, he said, by knowing the potential for earthquakes in the Batang area and its surroundings, the community is advised to really pay attention to the condition of the building so that it can minimize risks when an earthquake occurs again.

The M 4.4 earthquake only had one magnitude of M 2.2 on Sunday 7 July, at 15.30 WIB.

As a result of this earthquake in Batang, Hery quoted data from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) that dozens of houses were damaged and four residents of South Karangasem Village were injured.