Earthquake Magnitude 5.5 Guncang Southwest Maluku, BMKG: No Tsunami Potential

Screenshot - Map of the epicenter of the M5.5 earthquake in the northwestern region of North Wetar, Kab. Southwest Maluku, Maluku (photo: dock. intermediate)

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has confirmed that an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.5 has rocked the northwestern region of North Wetar, Southwest Maluku Regency, Maluku. This earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers and was triggered by Wetar thrust activity.

"By paying attention to the location of the epicenter and the depth of the hypocenter, the earthquake that occurred was a shallow type of earthquake due to Wetar thrust activity," said Head of the BMKG Earthquake and Tsunami Center, Daryono, quoted from Antara.

The epicenter of the earthquake was located at sea, about 5 km northwest of North Wetar, Southwest Maluku, Maluku, with coordinates 7.62 south latitude and 125.89 east longitude.

The BMKG also stated that this earthquake had an oblique thrust mechanism and modeling results showed that this earthquake had no potential for a tsunami.

The earthquake caused shocks in several areas, including Wetar Utara, Wetar Barat, Wetar, Tiakur City, Kalabahi City, Atambua City, Betun City, and Kefamenanu City. Until now, there have been no reports of the impact of the damage caused by the earthquake.

BMKG also noted that there was one aftershock aftershock activity after the main earthquake. The public is advised to avoid buildings that are cracked or damaged by the earthquake, check the stability of their residential buildings, and remain calm without being influenced by issues that cannot be justified.