REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANDUNG -- The National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) revealed a shallow earthquake of magnitude 5.0 that shook the area of Bandung Regency, West Java, was triggered by a fault active that is still uncharted. The earthquake that occurred on Wednesday (September 18, 2024) is classified as a shallow earthquake.

“The results of the preliminary discussions were initially predicted to occur in the Garsela fault, but when mapping and aftershock data were carried out, it is likely that this earthquake occurred on an uncharted fault,” said the head of BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center Abdul Muhari in a statement received in Bandung, Thursday (19/9/2024).

Abdul Muhari said the earthquake that occurred Wednesday (September 18, 2024) did not result from two segments of the Garsela fault and was not caused by the Lembang fault. “There are two segments of the Garsela Fault, the distribution of the first earthquake and aftershocks is not the active Garsela fault, nor is it the Lembang fault,” Abdul said.

Abdul said that the occurrence of this earthquake is a serious concern of his side to study the uncharted fault points of the earthquake to minimize the number of casualties. Furthermore, he said he was still waiting for information from BRIN and PVMBG that would confirm which earthquake that occurred on Wednesday was caused by which fault.

“To look back from the research side to identify active land faults that have not been well mapped,” Abdul said.

Abdul revealed the potential for aftershocks could still occur. Therefore, it appealed to the public to remain vigilant. Those whose homes are not fit to be occupied are better off evacuating to a place of refuge.

“People feel that maybe the house is not strong enough to occupy even though there are still aftershocks. For a while it is best to stay in a place of refuge,” Abdul said.

Earlier, an earthquake of magnitude 5.0 shook the area of Bandung Regency and its surroundings on Wednesday (September 18, 2024) at 9:41pm. The earthquake point was on land at a distance of 25 kilometers southeast of Bandung Regency with a depth of 10 kilometers. 

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