Magnitude 5.5 Earthquake Jolts Maluku with One Aftershock

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported an updated magnitude 5.5 tectonic earthquake in Maluku on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 20:04 local time. The location was in the northwest coast region of Southwest Maluku.

BMKG's head of Earthquake and Tsunami Center  Daryono said in a press release that the quake was a shallow one caused by Wetar thrust activities, with an oblique thrust mechanism. 

Another earthquake happened at the sea 5 km northwest of North Wetar, Southwest Maluku, at a depth of 10 km.

The shaking was felt in the North Wetar, West Wetar, and Tiakur City areas on a scale of IV in MMI. In the Wetar area, the intensity was on a scale of III - IV in MMI. If it occurs during the day, it will be felt by many people in the house.

Shocks were also felt in the Kalabahi City area with an intensity of level III in MMI. In the Atambua City, Betun City, and Kefamenanu City areas, the earthquake was felt on a scale of II - III in MMI.

There have been no reports of damages caused by the earthquake. Based on modeling results, it showed that the earthquake did not have the potential for a tsunami. Apart from that, as of 20:30 Western Indonesia Time, BMKG monitoring results showed that there was 1 aftershock activity.

Daryono invited residents to remain calm and not be influenced by baseless rumors. He also asked the people to avoid buildings that were cracked or damaged due to the earthquake.

Maria Fransisca Lahur

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