Waspada Potensi Gempa Bumi di Awal Tahun

Summary

This interview with Bapak Daryono, head of BMKG's Earthquake and Tsunami Center, covers Indonesia's seismic risks, including the recent Sumedang earthquake and seismic activity in West Java. Daryono explains that the Sumedang quake was caused by a shallow crustal earthquake and emphasizes the need for earthquake-resistant structures. He discusses BMKG's ongoing efforts to develop an Earthquake Early Warning System (Inaews) and Tsunami Early Warning System (Inws) for public safety. He also highlights the importance of public awareness and preparedness in mitigating the risks of earthquakes and tsunamis.

Takeaways

• 😀 Shallow crustal earthquakes, like the one in Sumedang, occur when faults in the earth's upper crust move suddenly, releasing energy strongly at the surface.
• 😀 Buildings that are not built to earthquake-resistant standards are especially vulnerable to damage during earthquakes, as seen in Sumedang where many homes were not designed to withstand seismic activity.
• 😀 The Sumedang earthquake was caused by a shallow crustal fault, but the exact fault line has yet to be identified, and investigations are ongoing.
• 😀 There are many active fault lines in West Java, such as the Cimandiri, Lembang, Citarik, Garut Selatan, and several others, which contribute to frequent seismic activity in the region.
• 😀 Earthquakes in West Java are not necessarily interconnected, even if they occur close together in time and location, as different fault lines release energy independently.
• 😀 Building structures are critical for earthquake preparedness. Reinforced buildings with proper construction materials (e.g., iron reinforcement and strong cement) can withstand earthquakes, unlike poorly constructed ones.
• 😀 For areas where earthquake-resistant buildings are not affordable, light structures made from materials like bamboo or wood are a safer option as they are flexible and less likely to collapse during a quake.
• 😀 BMKG (Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency) is working on an earthquake early warning system (Ina-EWS) for Indonesia, similar to systems used in Japan, although it's still under development and testing.
• 😀 BMKG has been operating a Tsunami Early Warning System (INWS) since 2008, successfully issuing warnings ahead of several tsunamis with accurate predictions of impact areas and wave heights.
• 😀 The public is urged to prioritize building safety to mitigate the risk of injury or fatalities from earthquakes, and the importance of governmental collaboration with local authorities for effective disaster mitigation is emphasized.

Q & A

What caused the recent earthquake in Sumedang?

The earthquake in Sumedang was caused by a shallow crustal earthquake, meaning a fault in the Earth's upper crust suddenly moved, releasing a large amount of energy. Its shallow depth of only 5 km resulted in strong shaking at the surface.

Why did the earthquake in Sumedang cause significant damage to buildings?

Many buildings in Sumedang were not constructed to be earthquake-resistant. In addition, the region has soft soil, which amplifies seismic shaking, contributing to the widespread destruction of buildings that were not designed to withstand such forces.

What is BMKG's current investigation into the cause of the Sumedang earthquake?

BMKG is conducting ongoing investigations to identify the fault responsible for the Sumedang earthquake. This is challenging because the earthquake occurred outside of known fault zones, and no established faults in the region had been mapped previously.

Are the earthquakes in Sumedang and Bogor related?

No, the earthquakes in Sumedang and Bogor are not directly related. The western part of Java is an active seismic zone with multiple fault lines, and each fault can independently release energy, leading to earthquakes that don't necessarily trigger each other.

How does Java's seismic activity affect earthquake preparedness?

Java's complex and active seismic zones, including several major fault lines, increase the risk of frequent earthquakes. This makes earthquake preparedness crucial, and local authorities, in collaboration with BMKG, focus on building reinforcement and public awareness to reduce casualties.

What is BMKG's recommendation for building construction in earthquake-prone areas?

BMKG recommends reinforcing buildings to make them earthquake-resistant. If reinforcing with strong materials isn't feasible, alternative structures like wooden or bamboo buildings are encouraged because they are flexible and less likely to collapse during an earthquake.

What are the key goals of Indonesia's Earthquake Early Warning System (InaEWS)?

The Earthquake Early Warning System (InaEWS) aims to alert people seconds before an earthquake strikes, allowing them to take immediate safety measures. BMKG is currently testing this system, which will soon be available to the public once it is proven effective.

Has BMKG already implemented an early warning system for tsunamis?

Yes, BMKG has been operating the Indonesia Tsunami Early Warning System (InaTEWS) since 2008. This system has successfully issued more than 20 tsunami warnings, helping to protect coastal communities by providing information about the potential arrival time and impact of a tsunami.

How does the soft soil in Sumedang impact earthquake damage?

Soft soil can amplify the seismic waves from an earthquake, increasing the shaking experienced at the surface. This amplification can cause greater damage to buildings, particularly those not designed to be earthquake-resistant, leading to more severe destruction.

What are some of the active fault lines in western Java that contribute to seismic activity?

Some of the active fault lines in western Java include the Cimandiri Fault, Lembang Fault, Citarik Fault, Garut Selatan Fault, Baribis Fault, and Tanjungsari-Cicalengka Fault. These faults are responsible for much of the seismic activity in the region.