A tectonic earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale on Monday (Oct. 1) jolted western coastal area of Aceh Province, forcing residents of Tapak Tuan, South Aceh, to rush out of their homes in panic, according to ANTARA. The earthquake happened at 9.03 pm on Monday and its epicenter was located at 3.78 degrees northern latitude and 96.29 degrees eastern longitude at a depth of 50 km, around 44 km southeast of Meulaboh, Aceh Besar District, Head of the Mata Ie Geophysics Office Syahnan said here on Tuesday. The earthquake was also felt quite strongly by residents of Simeulue Islands in Simeulue District. Syahnan said that the frequency of aftershocks jolting Aceh province in the aftermath of the December 2004 earthquake has decreased relatively. However, between three and four aftershocks at the magnitudes between 3.0 and 5.6 on the Richter scale, continued to jolt Aceh every day, he said.
