East Jawa shaken by offshore megathrust quake; houses damaged but no tsunami threat

AN offshore earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale jolted Pacitan, East Jawa, shortly after midnight on Friday, February 6, prompting reports of structural damage across a wide swathe of Java while raising concerns over seismic activity along the subduction zone south of the island.

According to Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the quake struck at around 1:00 a.m., with its epicentre located at 8.98 degrees south latitude and 111.18 degrees east longitude, approximately 89 kilometres southeast of Pacitan city.

The tremor originated at a depth of 58 kilometres beneath the seabed.

“The earthquake was shallow and occurred due to subduction plate activity,” said the Director of the Earthquake and Tsunami Center at BMKG, Daryono, in a statement on Friday.

“The source mechanism analysis results indicate that the earthquake has a thrust fault mechanism.”

BMKG classified the event as a megathrust-type earthquake, reflecting the upward thrusting movement of tectonic plates along the southern Java subduction zone.

Despite its strength, officials stressed that the quake fell below the threshold typically associated with tsunami generation.

“Fortunately, the Pacitan earthquake did not reach a magnitude of 7.0, as it could potentially trigger a tsunami,” Daryono added.

Based on reports from residents and local volunteers, BMKG confirmed that the shaking caused damage to several buildings.

“One house collapsed in Ploso Village, Pacitan District,” BMKG stated, citing information from a volunteer identified as Bolo. In Central Java, a roof collapsed in Jatisrono District, Wonogiri Regency.

The earthquake was widely felt across Java. In Pacitan, Bantul and Sleman, the shaking reached an intensity of IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale, meaning it was felt indoors by many people and caused noticeable vibrations.

Moderate shaking of III MMI, described as similar to the sensation of a heavy truck passing by, was reported in Kulon Progo, Trenggalek, Wonogiri, Malang, Cirebon, Blitar, Surakarta, Karanganyar, Magelang, Jombang, Tulungagung, Ponorogo, Magetan, Nganjuk, Wonosobo and Banjarnegara. Lighter tremors at II MMI were felt in Tuban and Jepara.

BMKG’s modelling confirmed that the earthquake posed no tsunami risk, and authorities urged the public to remain calm while staying alert for potential aftershocks in the seismically active region. - February 6, 2026