Jakarta – The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) detected two aftershocks subsequent to the 4.8-magnitude earthquake that rattled Sumedang District in West Java on Sunday evening, as confirmed by Daryono, head of the agency’s Earthquake and Tsunami Center.
“Following the initial earthquake, a magnitude 2.9 aftershock occurred at 11:23 p.m. local time on Sunday, followed by a second aftershock measuring 2.4 in magnitude at 3:47 a.m. on Monday,” stated Daryono.
Fortunately, these aftershocks did not result in any additional damage, he emphasized.
Describing the main earthquake as a “shallow crustal earthquake,” Daryono attributed its occurrence to the movement of an active fault within the region.
“Before the 4.8-magnitude earthquake, residents had already experienced tremors from magnitude 4.1 and 3.4 quakes at 2:35 p.m. and 3:38 p.m. on Sunday,” Daryono added.
Highlighting the proximity of the epicenters of these seismic events to the northeastern tip of the Cileunyi-Tanjungsari fault line, Daryono suggested a potential association between the Sumedang earthquake and this fault line.
Drawing on historical seismic data, Daryono referenced a previous earthquake of magnitude 4.5 that struck Sumedang district on December 19, 1972. This earlier shallow quake had caused damage to houses and triggered a landslide in the Cibunar neighborhood area.
“The depth of the epicenter at five kilometers contributed to the structural damage observed in buildings during the recent Sumedang earthquake,” explained Daryono.
Indonesia, positioned within the Circum-Pacific Belt or the Ring of Fire, frequently experiences seismic activities due to the convergence of tectonic plates.
The country has witnessed catastrophic events in the past, notably the 2004 Aceh earthquake and subsequent tsunami, which claimed a reported 230 thousand lives in Aceh and affected coastal areas across multiple countries. Additionally, the 2018 earthquake in Central Sulawesi resulted in substantial loss of life, injuries, and extensive property damage.
Authorities have been deploying resources to respond effectively to the recent seismic activities in Sumedang, with efforts focused on ensuring the safety and welfare of affected residents.
Source: ANTARA