Bengkulu Records Eighty Earthquake Events Since Early 2026

RRI.CO.ID, Bengkulu City - As tectonic activity remains a constant reality for the western coast of Sumatra, the Kepahiang Geophysics Station has reported that Bengkulu has already been rattled by 80 earthquakes in the first eight weeks of 2026. This data, released on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, highlights the region's high seismic vulnerability as it continues to navigate life along one of the world’s most active subduction zones.

First-class Meteorology and Geophysics Observer, Tri Rizki Muksida, revealed that the seismic events recorded since January have varied significantly in intensity and depth.

"Based on our database, there have been 80 recorded earthquake events in Bengkulu with magnitudes, ranging from 1.9 to 4.8, at depths between 2 and 169 kilometers," said Tri in Bengkulu City, as quoted by Antara.

The strongest of these occurrences was a magnitude 4.8 quake that struck on February 15, 2026, centered 30 kilometers southwest of Seluma Regency.

The persistent tremors are a direct result of Bengkulu’s precarious geographical position. The province is situated directly adjacent to the active subduction zone where the Indo-Australian and Eurasian plates meet, while also being traversed by several land-based fault segments.

Despite the frequency of these events, current data shows that the majority of recent quakes are dominated by shallow depths with magnitudes staying between 2.0 and 4.0.

Looking back at the previous year, the 2026 trend follows a highly active 2025, during which the Kepahiang Geophysics Station documented a total of 627 earthquake events.

While hundreds of tremors were recorded last year, only 32 were strong enough to be felt by the local population. This ongoing seismic pattern serves as a stark reminder for residents to maintain a state of constant preparedness.

In light of the recent data, Tri urged the public to prioritize disaster literacy and remain calm yet vigilant. He emphasized that residents must be ready to perform independent evacuations the moment a significant tremor is felt.

Furthermore, he warned the community against the dangers of misinformation during times of crisis. Residents are encouraged to rely solely on official sources and not be easily provoked by irresponsible rumors or unverified issues regarding potential disasters. ***