Indonesia\u2019s Geological Agency within the Ministry of Energy and\nMineral Resources has warned that the potential earthquake threat from\nLembang Fault activity presents a genuine risk that must be anticipated\nseriously through sustained mitigation measures.<\/p>\n
Supartoyo, a Senior Earth Investigator at the Centre for Volcanology\nand Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), stated that earthquakes with\nmagnitudes of 6.8\u20137.0 could occur if the entire 29-kilometre Lembang\nFault segment ruptures.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the entire segment moves, the potential magnitude could reach 6.8\nto 7. This forms the basis for developing worst-case scenarios for\ncontingency planning,\u201d he said in Bandung on Thursday 26 February.<\/p>\n
According to Supartoyo, such a scenario occurring near the fault zone\nwould result in ground acceleration estimated between 0.6 and 0.8 g,\nwith vibration intensity expected to exceed VIII on the Modified\nMercalli Intensity Scale.<\/p>\n
Scale VIII MMI falls into the heavy damage category, characterised by\nlight damage to well-constructed buildings, cracks in ordinary\nbuildings, walls separating from frames, and collapse of chimneys and\nmonuments. Such earthquake vibrations cause people to panic, knock over\nfurniture, and make well water turbid.<\/p>\n
Supartoyo noted that these conditions could cause significant damage,\nparticularly to buildings not designed to earthquake-resistant\nstandards.<\/p>\n
\u201cAreas near the fault line are vulnerable to very strong shaking.\nNon-engineered buildings would certainly be highly susceptible,\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He also explained that earthquake impact is determined not only by\nmagnitude but also by proximity to the earthquake source, hypocentric\ndepth, local geological conditions, and the quality of building\nconstruction.<\/p>\n
\u201cMagnitude is not the only factor. Proximity to the earthquake source\nand soil conditions significantly influence the level of damage that\noccurs,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
According to Geological Agency data, destructive earthquakes in\nIndonesia between 2000 and 2025 have ranged from five to 41 incidents\nannually.<\/p>\n
As of now in 2026, six destructive earthquakes have been recorded\nbased on data compiled from various sources, including the National\nDisaster Management Agency.<\/p>\n
Several major earthquake events in Indonesia have demonstrated\nsignificant economic impacts, such as the 2006 Yogyakarta earthquake\ncausing losses of approximately Rp29.2 trillion, the 2004 Aceh\nearthquake and tsunami approximately Rp13.4 trillion, the 2018 Palu\nearthquake approximately Rp8.5 trillion, and the 2022 Cianjur earthquake\napproximately Rp4 trillion.<\/p>\n
Mitigation is essential<\/p>\n
Supartoyo noted that such losses occur from disasters lasting only\nminutes\u2014sometimes less than 15 minutes\u2014but creating long-term impacts on\nsocial life and regional development.<\/p>\n
\u201cLosses can equal a region\u2019s annual development budget. Therefore,\nmitigation must be viewed as an investment, not a burden,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He emphasised that mitigation must be conducted according to Law\nNumber 24 of 2007 on Disaster Management through structural and\nnon-structural approaches.<\/p>\n
Structural mitigation includes construction and strengthening of\nearthquake-resistant buildings, whilst non-structural mitigation covers\npublic education, simulations, training, and regulatory development.<\/p>\n
\u201cEarthquakes cannot be prevented, but their risks can be reduced if\ndisaster preparedness and construction standards are applied\nconsistently,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Given that the Lembang Fault lies near densely populated areas in\nGreater Bandung, Supartoyo stressed that mitigation measures can no\nlonger be delayed to minimise casualties and economic losses.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/geological-agency-reveals-real-threat-of-magnitude-7-earthquake-from-lembang-fault-activity-1772165561", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }