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Nias Island hit by 5.8 magnitude earthquake
Nias Island off North Sumatra was jolted by an earthquake measuring 5
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Nias Island off North Sumatra was jolted by an earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale on Friday.
No casualties were reported, but the quake, which took place at 10:12 a.m. local time, sparked panic among local residents.
Endah Puspita of the Indonesia Tsunami Early Warning System at the Medan office of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said that the quake, which was caused at the subduction path between IndoAustralia and Eurasia, did not have the potential to cause a tsunami.
Its epicenter was recorded about 16 kilometers to the northeast of the Nias capital of Gunungsitoli.
"The tectonic quake did not cause a tsunami. No need to worry local people," Endah said, adding the tremor was felt in Gunungsitoli and Central Tapanuli regency in Sibolga, North Sumatra.
Residents of Central Tapanuli also felt the tremor for several seconds. "It took place only in a short period of time," said Anto, a Central Tapanuli resident. (hhr)
