A powerful earthquake struck Indonesia recently but with no immediate reports of fatalities or a tsunami. However, the Indonesian Government warned that aftershocks are possible.
On Friday, March 22, a 6.4 magnitude tremor was recorded in the waters north of Paciran in East Java, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The recent Java Island earthquake was followed by weaker magnitudes.
However, these aftershocks were also felt in the nearby city of Surabaya, and buildings in the capital Jakarta were shaken for several seconds, according to initial reports.
In previous years, there have been multiple devastating earthquakes recorded across Indonesia, with some resulting in widespread damage and human deaths. The Southeast Asia nation is located within the Pacific 'Ring of Fire' region with high seismic activities.
6.4 Magnitude Earthquake
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The strong Indonesia earthquake had a depth of 8.5 kilometers and occurred at 8:52 (UTC) on Friday, specifically struck the eastern side of the main island of Java. The quake caused some damage, including the collapse of a house and a village town hall in the Tuban district of East Java province. Amid the threat, Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency warned that aftershocks could still occur.
Multiple posts from social media users indicate that tremors from the quake were widely felt across East Java, not only in Surabaya but also in cities surrounding provinces. Based on previous earthquake recordings, the relatively mild impact of the recent quake is caused by its depth and proximity from mainland Indonesia, even if the USGS recorded it with a 6.4 magnitude or intensity under the Richter scale.
Indonesia Earthquakes
Being situated within the Ring of Fire, Indonesia is vulnerable to frequent earthquakes and even volcanic eruptions. With a population of 270 million, inhabitants of the country sit above a seismically active archipelago. The country has recorded deadly earthquakes in recent years, with the latest occurring in November 2022, where hundreds of people died following a 5.6 magnitude tremor. The majority of victims died due to falling debris while inside buildings or other establishments.
The late 2022 Java earthquake left over 260 people dead and hundreds injured after buildings collapsed, forcing some people to flee on the main island of Java. The hardest-hit city was Cianjur in West Java province. Despite the seemingly 'weak intensity' of a 5.6 magnitude, experts state there are various factors that make an earthquake cause more fatalities, including its shallowness and fragile infrastructure of the affected area.
Aside from earthquakes, Indonesia is also vulnerable to tsunamis, especially in coastal communities. In addition, volcanic eruptions also pose a threat to the archipelago nation. In December 2023, the eruption of Mount Merapi killed at least 23 people after it spewed volcanic ash at a towering height of 9,800 feet. Some of the fatalities include members of a group of climbers who started their ascent to the mountain but became stranded.
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