Executive Summary for the Earthquake in East Java
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake was reported near Pacitan Regency on 06 February, with shaking felt across southern East Java and parts of Yogyakarta. No tsunami alert was issued. Severity is assessed as moderate, reflecting localized damage potential, elevated landslide risk and temporary disruption to transport and utilities. Aftershock activity is expected to be highest within the first seventy-two hours, gradually declining over the following two weeks. Confidence is high due to consistent BMKG reporting and strong regional precedent.
- Event Date: 06 February
- Location: Pacitan Regency, East Java, Indonesia
- Risk Category: Natural Disasters
- Severity Level: 3 / 5
- Confidence Score: 80 %
Operational Context
Pacitan Regency lies along the southern Java subduction zone, an area with recurrent shallow to moderate seismic activity. Historical patterns show that earthquakes in the M5–6 range frequently trigger localized structural damage, landslides on steep coastal and inland terrain, and precautionary transport suspensions. The region’s reliance on road and rail links connecting southern East Java to Central Java heightens exposure to secondary disruption following seismic events.
Known Hotspots & Sensitive Zones
- High-impact zones: Pacitan town centre, coastal tourism areas such as Teleng Ria and Klayar Beach, and steep inland districts including Pringkuku and Arjosari.
- Medium-impact areas: Road and rail corridors linking Pacitan to Ponorogo, Trenggalek and Yogyakarta.
- Low-impact areas: Surrounding inland districts with lower population density.
Seismic recurrence in this corridor is well documented, with periodic M5+ events recorded in recent years.
Impact on Transportation & Services
Road transport faces likely temporary closures along Jalan Nasional Rute 3 and connecting roads due to landslides and structural checks. Rail services serving southern East Java may experience temporary suspensions or speed restrictions while inspections are completed. These disruptions can delay goods movement along the southern Java corridor, affect workforce mobility and constrain access to business assets. Utilities and communications are generally resilient but may experience isolated outages where infrastructure is damaged.
Recommended Action
- Organisations with exposure in East Java should activate earthquake response and business continuity protocols immediately, prioritising personnel accountability and site safety checks.
- Facilities should undergo rapid structural and utility inspections before re-entry, while hazardous materials and critical machinery are secured.
- Businesses should prepare alternate logistics routes and temporary operational shifts to Surabaya or Yogyakarta where feasible.
- Ongoing coordination with BMKG, BNPB, local BPBD offices, emergency services and transport operators is advised for situational awareness and response alignment.
Multi-Dimensional Impact
Short-term disruption to tourism, administrative services and local commerce is likely, with potential knock-on delays to inspections, permitting and non-critical public services.
Emergency Contacts
- Emergency Number: 112
- BMKG: bmkg.go.id/
- National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure: bnpb.go.id/
Situational Outlook
The most likely outlook involves declining aftershock activity over the next several days, with localized damage assessments and gradual restoration of transport services. A moderate escalation remains possible if a stronger aftershock triggers additional landslides or structural failures, while a severe scenario involving clustered higher-magnitude shocks is less likely but would significantly extend disruption and recovery timelines.
Strategic Takeaway
This earthquake represents a moderate but operationally significant natural disaster risk for Pacitan and surrounding corridors. Proactive inspections, clear communication and flexible logistics planning will be critical to limiting safety incidents and business interruption.Stay ahead of operational risks with real-time alerts, scenario modeling, and expert advisories with datasurfr’s Predict.Start your 14-day free trial of Datasurfr’s Risk Intelligence Platform today.
