Jakarta (ANTARA) - A 6.7-magnitude earthquake caused by subduction activity shook areas in the southwest of Malang, and was also felt in other parts of East Java, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported on Saturday.
Based on the location of the epicenter and the depth of the hypocenter, the earthquake was a medium-sized quake and caused by subduction activity, informed head of the BMKG Earthquake and Tsunami Center, Bambang Setiyo Prayitno, in a statement received here on Saturday.
The results of a source mechanism analysis showed the earthquake had a thrust fault mechanism, he added.He said the magnitude of the earthquake was initially recorded at 6.7 and the number was later revised to 6.1.
"The epicenter of the earthquake is located at the coordinates of 8.83 latitude and 112.5 east longitude, or precisely located in the sea at a distance of 96 km south of Kepanjen City, Malang district, East Java, at a depth of 80 kilometers," he disclosed.
Shocks from the earthquake were felt in Turen area, with a V MMI scale reading (that means the vibrations were felt by almost all residents and many people were awakened), and in Karangkates, Malang, and Blitar, with a IV MMI scale reading (that means they were felt by many people in the house during daytime).
Tremors were also felt in Kediri, Trenggalek, Jombang, with a III-IV MMI scale reading; and, in Nganjuk, Ponorogo, Madiun, Ngawi, Yogyakarta, West Lombok, Mataram, Kuta, Jimbaran, and Denpasar, with a III MMI scale reading (that means vibrations were felt in homes, akin to the passing of a truck) .
Shocks were also felt in Mojokerto, Klaten, North Lombok, Sumbawa, Tabanan, Klungkung, and Banjarnegara, with a II MMI scale reading (that means the vibrations were felt by several people and caused light hanging objects to sway).
The modeling results showed that the earthquake had no potential for a tsunami, Prayitno said.
Though aftershocks were reported, as of 2.25 p.m,. local time, BMKG monitoring showed no aftershock activity, he added.
"The public is advised to remain calm and not be affected by issues that are not credible," he said.
The BMKG also asked communities to avoid buildings that were cracked or damaged in the quake. It further asked residents to check and make sure buildings occupied by them were sufficiently resistant to earthquakes, or there was no damage due to vibrations from the earthquake, which can endanger the stability of buildings, before returning to their homes. (INE)
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