A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Tasikmalaya, West Java in December 2017, causing widespread damage and prompting a brief tsunami warning.
Key Facts
- Moment Magnitude
- 6.5
- Initial Magnitude Estimate
- 7.3 (Indonesian agencies)
- Depth
- 91 km
- Confirmed Deaths
- 4
- Date & Time (WIB)
- 15 December 2017, 23:47:58
- Tsunami Warning
- Issued then cancelled
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The earthquake resulted from seismic activity beneath the Indonesian island of Java. It struck at a depth of 91 km, classifying it as a deep earthquake, which generally limits surface intensity but still produces significant ground shaking over a wide area.
On 15 December 2017 at 23:47:58 West Indonesian Time, a moment magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck near Tasikmalaya in West Java, Indonesia. Indonesian agencies initially registered the event at magnitude 7.3. The deep focus reduced but did not eliminate destructive effects across the region.
Four people were confirmed dead and widespread damage was reported across Tasikmalaya and surrounding areas. Authorities immediately issued a tsunami warning, which was subsequently cancelled. The event highlighted the ongoing seismic hazard facing densely populated parts of Java.