5.1 Magnitude Earthquake In North Central Timor, East Nusa Tenggara The Shock Was Felt For 3 Seconds

Ilustrasi (Ilham Amin / VOI)

JAKARTA - An earthquake measuring 5.1 magnitude rocked North Central Timor Regency on Saturday, August 21 this morning. Local residents felt the earthquake shaking for three seconds at 00:45 WIT.

Plt. Head of BNPB's Disaster Data and Communication Center Abdul Muhari said that there was no panic among residents over the earthquake that occurred in North Central Timor.

"The BPBD of North Central Timor Regency monitors the conducive condition of the community. BPBD also reports that based on modeling, the earthquake did not trigger a tsunami," said Abdul Muhari in his statement, Saturday, August 21.

Based on the earthquake parameters updated by BMKG, the epicenter was 123 kilometers northwest of North Central Timor with a depth of 76 km.

Judging from the type and mechanism of the earthquake, this phenomenon is a type of medium earthquake due to the subduction activity of the Indo-Australian plate subducting under the Eurasian plate.

"The BMKG recorded an analysis of the mechanism of the earthquake source which showed a downward movement mechanism or a normal fault," said Abdul Muhari.

In the indicator of earthquake strength measured by the MMI scale or Modified Mercalli Intensity, the M5.1 earthquake was felt in North Central Timor at III – IV MMI and Alor II – III MMI.

The MMI IV scale describes during the day felt by many people in the house, outside by a few people, broken pottery, windows or doors creaked and walls creaked. The higher the MMI, the greater the impact felt by residents.

"After the earthquake, BMKG reported that there had been no aftershock activity until this Saturday, at 02.30 local time or 00.30 WIB," he said.

"The public is always advised to remain vigilant and alert to potential earthquakes. The impact of casualties and damage is mainly due to building structures that are unable to withstand shocks, and not the earthquake phenomenon," he concluded.