Jakarta, Mar 9: A magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck Indonesia on Sunday, the National Center for Seismology (NCS) reported. The quake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 km, increasing the likelihood of aftershocks and raising concerns over potential damage.
According to an official post on X, the NCS reported: “EQ of M: 5.3, On: 08/03/2026 11:35:08 IST, Lat: 2.24 N, Long: 96.77 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Indonesia.”
Shallow earthquakes, such as this one, are generally more dangerous than deeper tremors because seismic waves travel a shorter distance to the surface, producing stronger ground shaking and increasing the risk of structural damage and casualties.
Indonesia, situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire and at the intersection of three active tectonic plates, is highly vulnerable to a range of natural hazards, including earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, cyclones, floods, landslides, and droughts. Experts warn that the frequency and impact of these events are expected to rise due to changing climate conditions and tectonic activity.
The country is also at risk of megathrust earthquakes, capable of generating destructive tsunamis. The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, which registered a magnitude of 9.0 on the Sunda megathrust off Aceh province, triggered a massive tsunami, killing over 230,000 people, including 167,000 in Indonesia.
While Indonesia experiences an average of 20 earthquakes daily, most are too minor to be felt. Authorities continue to monitor seismic activity closely and advise residents in affected regions to remain alert.
