6.2-Magnitude Quake Hits Off Indonesia's Sumatra: USGS

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - A 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of Indonesia's Sumatra island early Monday, January 16, the US Geological Survey reported.

The epicenter of the quake was 48 kilometers south-southeast of the city of Singkil in Aceh province, at a depth of 37 kilometers, USGS said.

It occurred around 6:30 a.m. local time and USGS revised it up from its initial measurement at 6.0 magnitude with a 48 kilometers depth.

Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) also put it at 6.2 and said there was no threat of a tsunami, while the country's disaster agency said there were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage.

Also read: Strong Quake Rattles Islands, Damages Homes in Indonesia’s Maluku

"The earthquake caused people to panic. It was felt between 3-10 seconds in four districts in Aceh and North Sumatra province," Abdul Muhari, a spokesman for the BNPB disaster mitigation agency, said in a statement.

Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide.

On November 21, a 5.6-magnitude quake hit the populous West Java province on the main island of Java, killing 602 people.

Most of the victims were killed as buildings collapsed or landslides were triggered.

Source: Agence France-Presse