Earthquake M 5.2 Guncang South Nias, BMKG: Subduction Activities Of Indo-Australian Plates

NIAS - An earthquake with a magnitude (M) of 5.2 rocked South Nias, North Sumatra (North Sumatra) on Friday, December 30 at around 06.26 WIB. This earthquake is thought to be due to the subduction activity of the Indo-Australian plate.

Head of the BMKG Earthquake and Tsunami Center, Daryono, said the epicenter of this earthquake was located at coordinates 0.21 degrees South Latitude, 97.23 degrees East Longitude, or precisely located in the sea at a distance of 108 km southwest of South Nias, at a depth of 12 km.

"By taking into account the location of the epicenter and the depth of the hypocenter, the earthquake that occurred was a shallow type of earthquake due to the subduction activity of the Indo-Australian plate that was under the Eurasian plate," he said.

He added that the results of the analysis of the source mechanism showed that the earthquake had a thrust fault mechanism.

He stated that based on the estimation of the shock map (shakemap), this earthquake caused shocks in the Simuk area, South Nias with an intensity scale of III-IV MMI (if during the day it was felt by many people in the house).

The earthquake was also felt in the Luahagundre Maniamolo area, South Nias with an intensity scale of III MMI (vibrational vibration felt real in the house, vibration felt as if the truck was passing), and the Sirombu area, West Nias with an intensity scale II-III MMI (vibrational felt real in the house, felt vibration as if the truck was passing).

"Until now there have been no reports of damage caused by the earthquake. The modeling results show that this earthquake has no potential for a tsunami," he said.

As of 06.44 WIB, the results of BMKG monitoring have not shown any aftershock activity.

"The public is advised to remain calm and not be influenced by issues that cannot be justified," said Daryono.

In addition, the public is also advised to avoid buildings that are cracked or damaged by the earthquake.

"Check and make sure the building where you live is earthquake-resistant enough or there is no damage due to earthquake vibrations that endanger the stability of the building before you return to the house," he said.