Magnitude-6.6 earthquake in Banten caused by subduction activity

Jakarta, January 14 (ANTARA) - The 6.6-magnitude tectonic earthquake that struck South Banten on Friday at 16:05 local time is a type of shallow quake caused by subduction activity. Epicenter of the earthquake is located at coordinates 7.21 degrees South Latitude; 105.05 degrees East Longitude, or precisely, located at sea at a distance of 132 km southwest of Pandeglang City, Banten, at a depth of 40 km. "Looking at the location of the epicenter and the depth of the hypocenter, the earthquake that occurred was a shallow type of quake due to subduction activity," Head of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Earthquake and Tsunami Center Bambang Setiyo Prayitno noted in a statement received here, Friday. The results of analysis indicate that the earthquake originated from a thrust fault mechanism. The earthquake shocks were felt by all residents of Cikeusik and Panimbang regions at MMI VI. Most of them were startled and fled their homes. Residents at Labuan, Sumur, South Tangerang, Lembang, Bogor City, Pelabuhan Ratu, Kalianda, and Bandar Lampung also felt the shocks at MMI IV. Earthquake shocks of MMI III - IV were felt by residents in Anyer, Jakarta, Tangerang City, Ciracas, Bekasi, Bandung, and Bogor District. The residents recalled that the shocks felt like a truck passing by. Reports have, so far, been received of the impact of the earthquake-caused damage in the Munjul and Cimanggu sub-districts and Pandeglang district. The BMKG noted that this earthquake had no tsunami potential. Until Friday, at 16:40 local time, the results of BMKG's monitoring showed two aftershock activities, with magnitudes of M3.7 and M3.5, Prayitno remarked. He urged people in the affected areas to stay calm and not be influenced by unverified news. People are also requested to avoid cracked or damaged buildings and check and ensure that their residential building is earthquake-resistant or there is no damage due to the earthquake that can impact the structural stability. Moreover, the public is urged to ensure official information only comes from BMKG that is distributed through official verified communication channels (Instagram/Twitter @infoBMKG), website (https://www.bmkg.go.id or inatews.bmkg.go.id), telegram channel (https://t.me/InaTEWS_BMKG), or via Mobile Apps (IOS and Android): wrs-bmkg or infobmkg.