Strong M6.2 earthquake hits near the coast of Java, Indonesia

A strong earthquake registered by the BMKG as M6.2 hit near the coast of Java, Indonesia at 16:29 UTC on April 27, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 73 km (45 miles). USGS and EMSC are reporting M6.1 at a depth of 68 km (42 miles).

The epicenter was located 103.3 km (64.2 miles) S of Banjar (population 200 970), 123 km (76.4 miles) SSW of Soreang (population 116 780), and 137.3 km (85.3 miles) SSW of Bandung (population 2 444 160), West Java, Indonesia.

35 000 people are estimated to have felt moderate shaking and 53 958 000 light.

There is no tsunami risk 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.

The quake has damaged hundreds of buildings in several cities and left several people injured.

Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking

Selected cities exposed

Regional seismicity

Featured image credit: TW/SAM, Google