Shallow M6.0 earthquake hits Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra, Indonesia

A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit the Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra, Indonesia at 23:10 UTC on September 10, 2022. The agency is reporting a depth of 20 km (12.4 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.1 at the same depth.

The epicenter was located 175.8 km (109.2 miles) WSW of Pariaman (population 92 183) and 193.6 km (120.3 miles) W of Padang (population 840 352), West Sumatra, Indonesia.

3 000 people are estimated to have felt strong shaking and 13 000 moderate.

There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.

The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.

Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are unreinforced brick with concrete floor and precast concrete frame with wall construction.

Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.

According to the ASEAN Disaster Information Network (ADINet), 3 people have been injured, almost 6 000 people have been displaced, and some of them have been evacuated to 16 evacuation centers. (DG ECHO, September 12)

Regional seismicity

Featured image credit: TW/SAM, Google