September 17, 2026 | 09:01 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A series of low-magnitude tectonic earthquakes in the Bandung Regency area of West Java, Indonesia, is continuing into this morning. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) previously reported a succession of these quakes throughout Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
The BMKG recorded 26 earthquakes between 06:10 and 17:42 WIB (Western Indonesian Time) on Wednesday. Three of these tremors were strong enough for the shaking to be felt.
One of the perceptible quakes occurred at 17:14 WIB with a magnitude of 2.8. Its epicenter was located at coordinates 7.26 degrees South Latitude and 107.61 degrees East Longitude. "Specifically, it was located onshore, 28 kilometers southeast of Bandung Regency," stated Ana Oktavia Setiowati, Acting Head of BMKG Region II, in a statement on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
The quake was classified as shallow, originating at a depth of 5 kilometers; the BMKG attributed it to active fault activity. Public reports indicated that the shaking was felt in the Pangalengan area at an intensity of III MMI. This means the vibration was clearly felt indoors, resembling the sensation of a passing truck. "As of now, there have been no reports of building damage resulting from the earthquake," Ana said.
An earlier tremor was felt at 08:11 WIB with a magnitude of 3.0. Its epicenter was located at coordinates 7.26 degrees South Latitude and 107.61 degrees East Longitude. It was situated onshore, 27 kilometers southeast of Bandung Regency—just 1 kilometer away from the location of the subsequent quake. Public reports indicated that this shaking was also felt in the Pangalengan and Kertasari areas at an intensity of III MMI. The first felt earthquake was recorded at 06:21 WIB with a magnitude of 2.2. Its epicenter was located at coordinates 7.25° South Latitude and 107.59° East Longitude—specifically on land, 26 kilometers southeast of Bandung Regency, at a depth of 6 kilometers.
The area that felt the quake was Pangalengan, experiencing an intensity of II MMI; this level of shaking is felt by only a few people and causes light, suspended objects to sway. This small-scale earthquake was subsequently followed by eight aftershocks up until 08:50. So far, the BMKG has not determined exactly which active fault triggered this series of tremors.
This Thursday morning, the BMKG recorded two earthquakes with shaking felt in Pangalengan and several surrounding areas. Both occurred at 04:59 (M2.6) and 06:21 (M2.7). The hypocenters were shallow, at depths of 3 and 4 kilometers, respectively. The epicenters were located 23 and 27 kilometers south of Bandung Regency.
In a statement, Daryono—a member of the Indonesian Association of Disaster Experts—characterized the series of earthquakes in Bandung Regency over the past two days as an earthquake swarm. This phenomenon—a cluster of earthquakes occurring in a specific area and timeframe—is distinguished by the absence of a single dominant mainshock. Furthermore, the occurrence of an earthquake swarm does not automatically indicate that tectonic energy is being "fully released" or that a major earthquake is imminent.
"This pattern requires analysis based on epicenter distribution, depth, source mechanism, activity migration, as well as temporal and spatial changes," said Daryono, who holds a doctorate in geography and previously served as the Director of Earthquake and Tsunami at the BMKG.
Daryono explained that Pangalengan is situated in the southern part of West Java, a region characterized by complex crustal deformation. This area is situated near the Garsela (South Garut) Fault system, one of the active fault structures identified as seismically active in the West Java region.
Read: Head of BMKG: We Must Prepare for Hydrometeorological Disasters
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Head of BMKG: We Must Prepare for Hydrometeorological Disasters
23 jam lalu
Disasters are not limited to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. BMKG Chief Teuku Faisal Fathani explains other types of disasters
15,722 Aftershocks Recorded in 30 Days After Flores Earthquake
1 hari lalu
Flores aftershocks have reached 15,722 in 30 days, with BMKG saying the activity is declining but smaller tremors may continue for months.
Jakarta Reports No Damage After M6.5 Quake Hits Seribu Islands
3 hari lalu
The magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck off Jakarta early Saturday, with officials reporting no damage or significant impact across the Seribu Islands.
Today's Top 3 News: M6.5 Earthquake Rocks Java Sea North of Jakarta
4 hari lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
M6.5 Earthquake Rocks Java Sea North of Jakarta, Felt Widely
4 hari lalu
The earthquake posed no tsunami threat and was widely felt as far away as West Sumatra and East Java.
M6.0 Earthquake Rattles Banda Sea, BMKG: No Tsunami Risk
5 hari lalu
An earthquake with an updated magnitude of 6.0 rattled the Banda Sea in eastern Indonesia on Friday evening.
M5.1 Aftershock Strikes Near Ruteng in Flores Earthquake Sequence
8 hari lalu
A shallow M5.1 aftershock struck the Flores Sea near Ruteng, East Nusa Tenggara, as seismic activity continued following August's M7.7 quake.
Why Prabowo Traveled to Russia Amid Disaster Response
8 hari lalu
The Head of Bakom, Muhammad Qodari, said that handling domestic issues and diplomatic agendas could run simultaneously.
Prabowo Says Disaster Mitigation Budget Must Be Increased
9 hari lalu
Prabowo calls for more disaster response equipment, including helicopters and excavators, to prepare for future emergencies.
Prabowo Reviews Response to Multiple Disasters in Virtual Meeting
9 hari lalu
Prabowo Subianto reviews Indonesia's response to multiple disasters, including the Flores earthquake, forest fires and Anak Krakatau eruptions.
