BMKG: M 5.3 Sintang Earthquake in West Kalimantan Triggered by Adang Fault

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

JAKARTA - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) stated that the magnitude 5.3 earthquake that shook Sintang Regency, West Kalimantan (Kalbar) on Friday, March 13 morning, was triggered by Adang Fault activity.

Acting Director of Gempabumi and Tsunami BMKG Rahmat Triyono in Jakarta, said that the earthquake that occurred was a shallow earthquake due to Adang Fault activity as a result of BMKG's analysis of the epicenter location and hypocenter depth.

"The results of the source mechanism analysis show that the earthquake has a shear or strike-slip movement mechanism," he said.

BMKG previously reported that the tectonic earthquake occurred on Friday, at 03.04 WIB or shortly before the time of dawn for residents to worship during Ramadan fasting.

The epicenter of the earthquake is located on land with a depth of 10 kilometers in Kayan Hilir, Sintang Regency, West Kalimantan.

The earthquake shock was felt in the Sintang and Sanggau areas with an intensity scale of III MMI, namely the vibration was felt inside the house like a truck passing by.

Vibrations were also felt in Katingan and Melawi with an intensity scale of II MMI, which was felt by several people and caused the hanging of light objects to shake.

BMKG stated that there have been no reports of damage due to the earthquake so far and the results of the modeling show that the earthquake is not a tsunami potential.

However, BMKG urges the public to remain calm and not be influenced by issues that cannot be verified as true, while remaining aware of the impact of aftershocks by ensuring that the condition of the residential building is safe before returning to activities inside the house.