M 6.4 Earthquake in Aceh; BMKG Warns People of Aftershocks

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Meteorology, Climatology, Geophysics Agency (BMKG) warned the people in Aceh of the potential of aftershocks following the strong earthquake at magnitude 6.4 that occurred early on Saturday, September 24.

"Aftershocks for earthquakes of magnitude above 6 are common, although their strength is not necessarily large," said Daryono, BMKG coordinator of earthquake and tsunami mitigation in a press conference broadcasted on its YouTube channel in Jakarta today.

Until 08:10 western Indonesia time (WIB), BMKG monitoring showed there were two aftershocks in Aceh with a magnitude of 2.6 at 05:00 WIB and a magnitude of 2.7 at 05:09 WIB.

He said that aftershocks are common after rocks shift because the fractured source will move to find a technical balance in that location. But to date, BMKG has yet to receive the prediction of a strong aftershock in Aceh, said Daryono.

However, the public still needs to increase alert after the magnitude 6.4 earthquake on Aceh's west coast today at 03:53 WIB.

The epicenter was at 3.75° North Latitude and 95.97° East Longitude or at the sea, 44 km south of Meulaboh City, Aceh, at the depth of 53 kilometers.

"But there is no need to be afraid and worry too much because there is no potential for a tsunami," he remarked.

GADIS OKTAVIA (Intern) | ANTARA

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