Magnitude 4.9 Quake Strikes East Java

Malang, (Antara) - A moderate-intensity earthquake measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale jolted parts of East Java and Bali Island on Wednesday early morning.

Spokesman of the Karangkates Meteorology and Geophysics station Musripan remarked that epicenter of the earthquake was located at 8.53 degrees Southern Latitude and 113.11 degrees Eastern Longitude, at a depth of 126 kilometers, or some 45 kilometers southwest of Lumajang District.

He noted that tremors were felt by people in the districts of Malang, Tulungagung, Lumajang, Trenggalek, and Jember in East Java; and the areas of Nusa Dua and Tabanan on Bali Island.

However, Musripan added that the quake did not have the potential to trigger a tsunami, and hence, he has called on the people to stay calm.

The Indonesian archipelago experiences frequent earthquakes, as it lies in an area of intense seismic activity where several tectonic plates collide.

Earlier on Tuesday, another earthquake, measuring 4.3 on the Richter scale, had jolted the Southwest Sumba District in East Nusa Tenggara Province at 9:42 a.m. Central Indonesia Standard Time.

Chief of the Local Meteorology and Geophysics Office Hasanudin stated that the epicenter of the quake was located at 8.99 degrees Southern Latitude and 119.20 degrees Eastern Longitude, at a depth of 146 kilometers, some 61 kilometers northeast of the district.

East Nusa Tenggara is prone to earthquakes that have struck the province in the past few days.

The Meteorology and Geophysics Office chief remarked that last Friday, the province was jolted by three earthquakes of different intensity.

The first earthquake, measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale, rocked Lembata District at 10:35 a.m. local time, Hasanudin stated.

The second earthquake, with a magnitude of 4.9 on the Richter scale, hit West Manggarai District at 6:29 p.m. local time, he noted.

The third quake, measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale, jolted Ende District at 6:47 p.m. local time, and its epicenter was located 27 kilometers northwest of Ende at a depth of 161 kilometers, he added.(*)