M 6.2 Earthquake In West Sumatra Due To Sumatran Fault Activity

Map of the magnitude 6.2 earthquake that shook the West Sumatra on Friday (25/2/2022). ANTARA/HO-BMKG

JAKARTA - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 occurred in West Pasaman, West Sumatra Province on Friday, February 25 at 08.39 WIB was due to the activity of the Sumatran Fault.

Head of the BMKG Earthquake and Tsunami Center, Bambang Setiyo Prayitno, in a statement received in Jakarta, Friday, said the results of the BMKG analysis showed updated parameters with a magnitude of 6.1.

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

The epicenter of the earthquake was located at coordinates 0.14 degrees North Latitude, 99.94 degrees East Longitude, or precisely located on land at a distance of 12 km Northeast of West Pasaman, West Sumatra at a depth of 10 km.

Earthquake shocks were felt in the Pasaman area with an intensity scale of V MMI, namely vibrations felt by almost all residents, many people woke up, in Agam, Bukitttinggi, and Padang Panjang with an intensity scale of IV MMI, that is, if it is felt by many people in the house during the day.

In Padang, Payakumbuh, Aek Godang, and Gunung Sitoli the vibrations were felt on the MMI III intensity scale where the vibrations were felt in the house. There was a vibration as if a truck was passing, in Pesisir Selatan, Rantau Parapat, South Nias, and Bangkinang with an intensity scale of II MMI, namely vibrations felt by several people, light objects that were hung swaying.

Until now there have been reports of the impact of damage in the West Pasaman area caused by the earthquake. The modeling results show that the earthquake has no potential for a tsunami.

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As of 09.35 WIB, the BMKG recorded one foreshock with a magnitude of 5.2 and seven aftershock activities with the largest magnitude of 3.9.

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

The public is also advised to avoid buildings that are cracked or damaged by the earthquake. Check and make sure the residential building is earthquake-resistant enough, or that there is no damage due to earthquake vibrations that endanger the stability of the building before returning to the house.