Viral, Video of Hot Springs after the M 6.1 earthquake in West Pasaman, West Sumatra, this is what BMKG says

KOMPAS.com – A video showing the appearance of hot water mixed with mud was mentioned after the 6.1 magnitude earthquake that rocked West Pasaman, West Sumatra, Friday (25/2/2022), went viral on social media.

The video was uploaded by the Facebook account Sky Soldieron Friday (25/2/2022).

“Hot Springs After the 6.2 West Pasaman Earthquake Today, February 25, 2022,” that’s the narrative written by the account owner.

As of Saturday (26/2/2022) afternoon, the video has been liked 54 times and watched more than 5,200 times by Facebook netizens.

In the 22-second video, hot water mixed with mud can be seen coming out from under the ground on a street near a residential area.

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So, what is the explanation of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) regarding the emergence of this hot spring phenomenon?

Cracks give rise to hot water

BMKG explained that the location of the hot springs mixed with mud was in the area of ​​Jorong Padang Baru, Nagari Ganggo Hilia, Bonjol District, Pasaman, West Sumatra.

Mitigation Coordinator Earthquake and Tsunami BMKG Daryono said that the strong shaking of the Pasaman earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 which occurred on Friday (25/2/2022), is thought to have produced fractures that led to hot water.

“Because in general, groundwater or geothermal aquifers can come to the surface formed in rock fractures,” said Daryono, to Jakarta Kompas.com, Saturday (26/2/2022) afternoon.

He warned that if the hot springs appear to be boiling, emit steam, feel hot and emit a pungent odor, it is better not to approach them, let alone consume the water, while waiting for a team of experts to come to examine the water content.

Daryono explained, geothermal is a phenomenon where heat from inside the earth heats the water layer below the ground surface.

Also read: BMKG’s analysis of the M 6.1 Earthquake that shook Pasaman Barat, West Sumatra

Active fault line

Areas with geothermal systems, can generally be recognized by the presence of hot springs in the area.

“There is a possibility that the area is located near an active fault line, so there is a hot spring,” he said.

So that when an earthquake occurs, it will be disturbed reservoirand the hot water came out through the weak zone that was cracked due to the strong shock earthquake.

Daryono said, some reservoir Hot springs are common in active fault areas.

“Like the Pasaman area, it is natural that there are hot springs because it is an active tectonic zone and there are fault lines,” he said.

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