BMKG's Scientific Analysis Of The 6 Magnitude Earthquake That Happened In West Halmahera This Morning: Due To Plate Subduction

Photo via BMKG

JAKARTA - This morning, Tuesday, April 5 at 08.44 WIB, the West Halmahera region, North Maluku, was rocked by a tectonic earthquake. The results of the Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) analysis show that this earthquake was caused by plate subduction activity.

"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 plate subduction activity", said Head of the BMKG Earthquake and Tsunami Center, Bambang Setiyo Prayitno, in a written statement received by the editors, Tuesday, April 5.

This earthquake had an impact and was felt in the Galela area with an intensity scale of III-IV MMI (when many people feel it in the house during the day), the Tobelo area with an intensity scale of III MMI (Vibration felt real in the house. The vibration felt as if a truck was passing), Bitung area with an intensity scale of II-III MMI (real vibration felt in the house).

"As of 09.05 WIB, the results of BMKG monitoring have not shown any aftershock activity", he continued.

"The public is advised to remain calm and not be influenced by issues that cannot be justified. To avoid cracked or damaged buildings caused by the earthquake", he said.