Geological Agency Explains Bandung Earthquake Analysis

Map of the epicenter with a magnitude of 5.0 in Bandung Regency, West Java, Wednesday (18/9/2024). (ANTARA/HO-Badan Geological)

BANDUNG - The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) explained an analysis of the 5.0 magnitude earthquake that rocked the Bandung Regency, West Java.

"Based on the location of the epicenter of the earthquake, depth and data on the source mechanisms of BMKG and GFZ Germany, this earthquake was caused by active fault activity," said Head of the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Muhammad Wafid as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, September 18.

The Geological Agency reports that the dominant Bandung Regency area is composed by moderate ground on corrugated plains, as well as hard soil on hilly morphology.

Areas around the epicenter of the earthquake are generally composed by sedimentary rocks and volcanic rocks. Some of these rocks have experienced weathering.

"Batuan yang telah mengalami pelapukan pada umumnya bersifat lepas, urai, tidak terkosolidasi dan memperkuat efek guncangan gempa bumi," kata dia.

BMKG noted that an earthquake measuring 5.0 magnitude that rocked the Bandung Regency area occurred on Wednesday at 09.41 WIB.

The earthquake was centered at 7.19 degrees south latitude, 107.67 degrees east longitude or 24 kilometers southeast of Bandung Regency with a depth of 10 kilometers.

Meanwhile, according to data from the German Geo Forschungs Zentrum (GFZ), the location of the epicenter was located at coordinates 107.67 degrees East Longitude and 7.24 degrees South Latitude with a magnitude of 5.3 at a depth of 10 kilometers.

Temporary report from BPBD Bandung Regency, the earthquake occurred in the form of minor damage to residents' houses in Cibeureum, Tarumjaya, Bandung Regency and in Garut.

Wafid revealed that this earthquake did not cause a tsunami because the location of the epicenter was located on land.

"According to data from the Geological Agency, the distribution of residential areas that were affected by earthquake shocks was mostly located in areas prone to medium earthquakes," he said.