East Java offshore quake triggers widespread shaking but no tsunami threat

An earthquake measuring roughly magnitude 5.2 struck on Monday morning, 24 November 2025, with its epicentre located approximately 141 km south-west of Blitar, East Java, at a depth of 10 km, according to Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). This tremor was widely felt across eastern Java, Bali, and parts of the Yogyakarta region.

Residents in several districts reported sudden strong shaking. Furniture and hanging objects swayed, lights flickered, and some evacuated structures temporarily.

Although no major damage or casualties were immediately confirmed, the breadth of felt intensity drew significant attention.

BMKG was swift in issuing a statement to clarify the nature of the quake. The agency explained that the earthquake was tectonic rather than volcanic in origin, and that the shallow depth and offshore location contributed to the wide felt distribution of the shaking.

According to the BMKG bulletin, the epicentre coordinates were recorded at 9.35° South and 111.85° East. The shallow hypocentre of 10 km meant the ground motion reached surface areas more directly. BMKG assessed that the mechanism involved local fault-line activity beneath the ocean floor south of Java, rather than deeper subduction sources.

Significantly, BMKG confirmed there was no tsunami threat at the time of the event. The agency emphasised that the combination of the quake’s depth, magnitude, and epicentre meant that the risk of a sea-wave hazard was extremely low. Residents were urged not to rely on unverified social-media posts claiming otherwise.

In its advisory, BMKG recommended a set of safety protocols. These included: leaving buildings calmly if shaking is felt, avoiding elevator usage until inspections are done, checking for hazards like gas or electrical faults, and staying clear of any structure that appears damaged or unstable. The agency reiterated that public alertness remains crucial even when major damage is not immediately evident.

Local disaster-response units in East Java, Bali and Yogyakarta noted that although the shaking lasted only a few seconds, the psychological effect on residents was tangible.

Some schools temporarily paused classes to inspect buildings; hotels in Bali reported guests coming to the lobby from upper floors.

In Blitar and Tulungagung regencies, authorities conducted rapid checks of infrastructure such as bridges and power-station sites.

While the physical damage appears limited so far, seismologists say the event serves as a reminder of southern Java’s seismic risk. The coastal-offshore corridor south of Java has multiple known fault segments and back-arc thrust zones, which may produce shallow events capable of being widely felt. The BMKG statement underscores the importance of continual monitoring and public-education efforts.

BMKG also advised residents to expect after-shocks, which may occur over the coming hours or days. Although after-shocks are likely to be smaller in magnitude, they may still cause further rattling of structures that have already been stressed. The agency therefore urged building owners and local authorities to remain vigilant.

In summary, the event appears to have posed low immediate hazard, according to BMKG’s assessment. But the wide geographic impact of the shaking, combined with the region’s ongoing seismic potential, highlights the necessity of preparedness and structural resilience.

As monitoring continues, future updates will be issued if significant new seismic activity occurs. Residents in affected provinces are advised to follow official channels established by BMKG and to avoid spreading unverified content or speculation online.