M5.0 Earthquake Shakes North Sumatra Amid Ongoing Disaster Relief

December 2, 2025 | 11:17 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A magnitude 5.0 earthquake shook North Sumatra on Tuesday night, December 2, 2025, occurring amid an ongoing emergency response to devastating floods and landslides across the region.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported that the tremor was initially measured at Magnitude (M) 5.0, with its epicenter located in the sea, 91 kilometers southeast of South Nias, North Sumatra.

The tremor was felt in the Sibolga and Humbang Hasundutan areas at an intensity of III MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity). At the III MMI level, vibrations are perceptible inside houses, similar to a truck passing by.

BMKG's Director of Earthquakes and Tsunamis, Daryono, later stated, "BMKG's analysis indicates that this earthquake has been updated to a magnitude of 4.9."

Daryono further explained that the earthquake's hypocenter was at a depth of 33 kilometers, classifying it as a shallow earthquake. The event was triggered by the subduction activity of the Indo-Australian Plate thrusting beneath the Eurasian Plate. Earthquakes originating from continental plate activity zones like this are known as megathrust earthquakes.

In addition to Sibolga and Humbang Hasundutan, the tremors were also felt in the West Nias area, though at a weaker II MMI intensity. "Modeling results show that this earthquake does not have the potential to cause a tsunami," Daryono confirmed.

This seismic event occurred while emergency response teams were actively dealing with floods, flash floods, and landslides across Sumatra. Following days of extreme rain brought by Tropical Cyclone Senyar, these disasters have extensively affected the northern part of Sumatra, destroying many villages and resulting in hundreds of fatalities scattered across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.

This latest 4.9-magnitude quake follows a period of notable seismic activity in the region. On November 25, inland earthquakes of M4.7 and M3.7 were felt in Bener Meriah, Aceh. The tremors reached an intensity of IV MMI, disturbing people inside their homes and causing windows and doors to rattle.

Then on November 27, a stronger M6.3 earthquake originated from the sea, 62 kilometers northwest of Sinabang, Aceh. The strongest tremors, also at IV MMI intensity, were felt in Simeulue. At that time, the vibrations were widely felt as far away as Banda Aceh and Medan.

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