BMKG to test earthquake early warning system with 20-second alert

BMKG Head Teuku Faisal Fathani said here on Thursday that the trial will be conducted this month in Jakarta, West Java, and Lampung, following one to two years of development.

“This month, we will begin operational trials of the Earthquake Early Warning System,” he said.

He explained that the system works by detecting primary waves (P-waves), which travel faster than the more destructive secondary waves (S-waves).

By monitoring these initial waves, the system can estimate the arrival time of strong shaking, allowing people to evacuate first.

“Depending on the distance from the earthquake source, the system can provide a warning time ranging from several seconds up to around 20 seconds before strong shaking is felt,” he said.

Fathani emphasized that the technology is not designed to predict when an earthquake will occur, but to issue alerts once an earthquake has begun.

BMKG is optimistic that even within this short window, people can take mitigation measures such as seeking safe shelter, moving to evacuation points, or stopping high-risk activities.

The system has been developed in collaboration with partners over the past four years and requires significant investment, especially in sensor installation and strengthening monitoring networks.

This is crucial as Indonesia is highly prone to earthquakes, with 13 subduction zones, also known as megathrust zones.

Through this trial, BMKG hopes to raise public awareness of the importance of rapid response to earthquakes, thereby minimizing casualties and damage.

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Translator: Prasetyo, Kenzu