The Watchers – A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 hit near Sinabang, Aceh, Indonesia at 06:50 UTC (13:05 LT) on January 7, 2020. The agency is reporting a depth of 20.3 km (12.6 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 30 km (18.6 miles). The epicenter was located 16.7 km (10.3 miles) SSW of Sinabang (population 15 000) and 160.4 km (99.5 miles) W of Singkil (population 46 800), Indonesia. There are 110,000 people living within 100 km (62 miles). 26,000 people are estimated to have felt strong shaking, 22 000 moderate, and 77,000 light.
The USGS issued a green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage. Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are unreinforced brick with concrete floor and precast concrete frame with wall construction. Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses. FULL REPORT
