Moderate Earthquake Strikes Sumatra, Indonesia

Pacific Ring of Fire.

Kuala Lumpur, 11 Rabiul Akhir 1438/10 January 2017 (MINA) – A moderate earthquake, measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale, occurred in southern Sumatra, Indonesia, at 7.28 pm Monday, Bernama reported, citing the statement of the Malaysian Meteorological Department.

The statement said that the epicentre of the quake was 95 km southwest of Solok, Indonesia, and 473 km southwest of Merlimau, Melaka.

However, the quake did not pose any tsunami threat, it added.

Indonesia frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic eruptions because it lies on Pacific “Ring of Fire”, an intersection of shifting tectonic plates, including the Pacific plate, Eurasian plate, Australian plate and Philippine plate.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) describes the Indonesian region as one of the most seismically active zones on earth.

In December 2004, more than 220,000 people in Aceh province were killed or classified as missing after a powerful undersea earthquake off Sumatra generated a powerful tsunami. (T/RS05/RS01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)