Strong Earthquake Hits North Sumatra, No Tsunami Risk

Another powerful earthquake struck Indonesia's North Sumatra and Aceh regions on Saturday, August 15, 2026, with a magnitude of 6.4. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded the maximum intensity at V on the MMI scale. The earthquake occurred at 5:54 p.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB) with its epicenter located 11 kilometers southeast of Simalungun in North Sumatra and 168 kilometers depth.

BMKG stated that this moderate earthquake was caused by plate subduction activity, and no tsunami risks were indicated. No aftershocks were detected as of 06:16 p.m. WIB. The shaking was felt strongly by almost all residents in Tebingtinggi City and Kabanjahe City and caused pottery to break, objects to be tossed, pillars and large objects to sway, and even a bell's pendulum to stop.

Several areas, including Simalungun, Pematangsiantar City, and Pangururan City, experienced the earthquake at an intensity of IV on the MMI scale, feeling tremors inside their homes and causing pottery to break, windows and doors to rattle, and walls to vibrate.