BMKG Warns of 402 Active Faults Across Indonesia, Stresses Urgent Need for Earthquake Mitigation

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has warned that Indonesia will perpetually face the threat of earthquakes and tsunamis due to its geographical position at the convergence of three major tectonic plates. The agency has identified 14 megathrust segments and over 400 active fault segments across the archipelago, with 82 active faults located on Java Island and 77 on Sulawesi Island alone.

Wijayanto, BMKG’s Director of Earthquakes and Tsunamis, noted that seismic activity in the Pacific region has been particularly high, with approximately 54 earthquakes of magnitude 7 or above recorded from Indonesia to South America over the past five years. He emphasised that while the sources of these earthquakes are known, the exact timing of their occurrence remains unpredictable.

The primary danger to human life, Wijayanto explained, is not the ground shaking itself but the secondary effects such as building collapse, tsunamis, and liquefaction. A simulation conducted by BMKG in the Sunda Strait demonstrated that a tsunami could reach the coast of Pandeglang within just 8 to 10 minutes of a major earthquake, with wave heights potentially exceeding three metres.

To strengthen the nation’s disaster preparedness, BMKG has enhanced its tsunami early warning system, reducing the processing time to under three minutes since 2023. Warnings are disseminated through multiple channels, including SMS, mobile applications, and a Warning Receiver System connected to local government agencies. The agency continues to urge the public to remain vigilant and to rely exclusively on official information from BMKG regarding seismic threats.