BMKG Attributes Mysterious Bandung Booms to Skyquake Phenomenon
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Bandung Station has addressed the mysterious booming sounds that alarmed residents in the Greater Bandung area and its surroundings from Friday (4/9) night to early Saturday (5/9).
Based on the results of monitoring data analysis, BMKG defines the event as a ‘skyquake’ phenomenon, the primary cause of which cannot yet be precisely explained.
The Head of BMKG Class I Geophysical Station Bandung, Suaidi Ahadi, stated that the agency has inspected all geophysical and meteorological monitoring instruments, including earthquake data, lightning activity, weather conditions, and Earth’s magnetic anomalies during the period the booms occurred, specifically between 23:00 WIB and 05:00 WIB.
Monitoring results showed that the weather in Greater Bandung was relatively clear, and no local earthquake activity was detected, involving the Lembang Fault, Cimandiri Fault, or any other active faults.
“Based on BMKG’s seismic data, no seismic activity was detected in the region,” said Teguh Suadi during an online press conference on Saturday (5/9).
Teguh explained that similar phenomena occurred in Bogor in April 2020. Typically, ground booms can be triggered by swarm earthquakes or a series of small earthquakes, as seen during the Cianjur earthquake in 2022. However, seismic instruments in the Greater Bandung area did not record any seismic waves at all during this incident.
Interestingly, data from the Himawari satellite and Earth magnetic stations in Serang and Sukabumi revealed something noteworthy. During the suspected timeframe, magnetic anomalies and high concentrations of thunderstorm activity were recorded in the area of Mount Anak Krakatau, coinciding with volcanic eruptions.
Nevertheless, the link between the booms in Bandung and the activity of Anak Krakatau remains a significant scientific puzzle. “Volcanic activity appeared in Krakatau, yet it was not reported or discussed by residents in Banten, Jakarta, or Bogor, which are located closer. This booming phenomenon occurred specifically in the Bandung region and its surroundings,” said Teguh.
Logically and geographically, a normal-scale volcanic eruption from Krakatau is considered too far to be heard in the Greater Bandung basin without being heard in the intervening areas.
To seek alternative scientific explanations, BMKG has proposed a hypothesis from scientific literature suggesting that a skyquake can be triggered by the release of methane gas from the bottom of an ancient lake basin, as the Greater Bandung area sits atop the former Bandung Ancient Lake.
This theory is planned to be coordinated and further studied alongside the Geological Agency and the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG).
BMKG has urged residents in the Greater Bandung area to remain calm, avoid panic, and verify information to avoid hoaxes. BMKG ensures that atmospheric and seismic monitoring continues 24 hours a day, and the public is advised to monitor all developments regarding natural phenomena through official BMKG communication channels.