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• 4 min read • Indonesia

M 5.4 Earthquake Strikes Off Sukabumi Coast, Felt Across Bandung and West Java

A magnitude 5.4 earthquake shook Indonesia's West Java coast early Friday morning, with tremors felt across Bandung, Garut, Tasikmalaya, and surrounding areas. No tsunami warning was issued.

Introduction

A magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck off the southwest coast of Sukabumi, West Java, early Friday morning at 02:18 WIB, sending tremors across a wide area including Bandung, Garut, Tasikmalaya, and Pangandaran. According to Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the quake’s epicenter was located 115 kilometers southwest of Sukabumi city at a depth of 43 kilometers.

Earthquake Details

The earthquake was classified as a shallow-to-moderate depth event, which explains why it was felt across such a broad swath of West Java. BMKG recorded the following intensity readings across affected areas:

  • Intensity IV (MMI): Cidolog, Ciracap, Garut, Tasikmalaya, Cidahu, Cimanggu, Jampang Tengah, Kadupandak, Tegal Buleud — widely felt, rattling windows and doors
  • Intensity III (MMI): Bayah, Kabupaten Bandung, Klapanunggal, Cijati, Campaka — noticeably felt indoors, similar to a passing truck
  • Intensity II-III (MMI): Pangandaran, Ciamis — weak shaking felt by some residents

The significant population centers affected include Bandung, Indonesia’s third-largest city with over 2.5 million residents, where many reported being awakened by the shaking.

Tsunami Status

BMKG confirmed that the earthquake did not generate a tsunami threat. No tsunami warning was issued, and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center did not release any alerts for the region.

Seismic Context

West Java sits along the highly active Sunda Arc, where the Indo-Australian tectonic plate subducts beneath the Eurasian plate. The Sukabumi coastal area is particularly seismically active due to its proximity to the subduction zone.

Indonesia experiences frequent earthquakes due to its position along the Pacific Ring of Fire. The country’s BMKG agency monitors seismic activity 24 hours a day and maintains an extensive network of seismographs across the archipelago.

Public Response

Following the earthquake, “gempa Bandung hari ini” (Bandung earthquake today) trended on Indonesian social media with over 50,000 searches as residents checked for updates and shared their experiences. BMKG issued a standard advisory urging residents to remain alert for potential aftershocks.

Safety Reminders

BMKG recommends the following during earthquake activity:

  • Drop, Cover, and Hold On — get under sturdy furniture and protect your head
  • Stay away from windows, mirrors, and heavy objects that could fall
  • If outdoors, move to an open area away from buildings and power lines
  • After shaking stops, check for injuries and structural damage
  • Be prepared for aftershocks, which can follow the main quake

Sources