Breaking News: Daryono Suddenly Resigns as BMKG Earthquake-Tsunami Director
Jakarta - Earthquake and tsunami expert Daryono has resigned from his position as Director of Earthquakes and Tsunamis at the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). The news came suddenly.
On Friday afternoon (13/2), Daryono was still sharing information about cloud conditions across Indonesia from BMKG’s Himawari Satellite monitoring. Shortly after, Daryono announced his resignation as BMKG’s Director of Earthquakes and Tsunamis on Friday evening (13/2).
His resignation from the Echelon II structural position was announced to the media after he submitted a formal request to the BMKG leadership. He asked media outlets to no longer attribute him as the BMKG Director of Earthquakes and Tsunamis in their reporting.
The 54-year-old Daryono also said he has filed for early retirement. The age limit for Echelon II structural positions is 60 years.
“I have submitted my resignation from the position of Director of Earthquakes and Tsunamis, while also filing for early retirement from BMKG,” Daryono told reporters on Saturday (14/2/2026).
Daryono said he remains a BMKG employee until May 1. He explained he is currently undergoing medical treatment but is in good health.
“I am currently suffering from an eye condition called corneal dystrophy and am undergoing treatment and care, so I am on medical leave, followed by early retirement,” he said.
In the latest press release shared by BMKG, the position of Director of Earthquakes and Tsunamis is now filled by Acting Director Rahmat Triyono.
BMKG Public Relations Head Taufan Maulana confirmed the news of Daryono’s resignation. He said Daryono has entered his retirement period.
“That is correct, he has entered retirement,” Taufan said when contacted separately.
Continuing Education on Earthquakes and Tsunamis
Although he no longer serves as BMKG’s Director of Earthquakes and Tsunamis, Daryono said he will continue to educate the public about earthquakes and tsunamis. He pledged to keep sharing knowledge with the public about disaster preparedness.
“I will remain consistent in contributing as an expert and public educator in the field of disaster management, while upholding scientific objectivity, integrity, and the interest of public safety,” Daryono said.
As a seismologist, Daryono is well aware of Indonesia’s position along the Ring of Fire, which carries consequences in terms of earthquake intensity and tsunami potential. He is committed to continuing public education in seismology and disaster preparedness.
Daryono, who has long studied earthquakes and tsunamis, said he will remain open to sharing knowledge and providing scientific explanations. During his tenure as BMKG’s Director of Earthquakes and Tsunamis, Daryono consistently provided analysis on seismological concepts and theories, earthquake sources, data analysis, and the history of earthquakes and tsunamis.
“I have a scientific responsibility, an educational responsibility, and a moral responsibility,” he said.
“My commitment to public education in seismology and disaster preparedness will not stop,” he added.
Brief Profile of Daryono
Earthquakes frequently occur across Indonesia. On several occasions, earthquakes of significant magnitude have struck, with their tremors causing considerable impact. His position as BMKG’s Director of Earthquakes and Tsunamis made Daryono a frequent public figure delivering analyses on earthquakes. He also regularly shared information about the history of earthquakes and tsunamis in Indonesia.
His analyses and earthquake information were shared through press releases and posts on his personal social media accounts. He covered not only earthquakes in Indonesia but also significant earthquakes occurring abroad.
According to the STMKG Ikamega website, Daryono was born in Semarang, Central Java, on February 21, 1971. He completed his Diploma III education at the Academy of Meteorology and Geophysics (AMG) in 1993. He then earned his bachelor’s degree from the Meteorology and Geophysics Program in the Physics Department at the University of Indonesia (UI) in 2000.
He pursued his master’s degree at Udayana University (Unud) in 2002, researching Rainfall Characteristics of Bali Island’s Climate Zones. He then pursued a Doctorate in Geography at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) in 2006.
Daryono has also authored several books and published scientific journals. His career at BMKG began as a technical staff member at the Regional Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Center (MKG) Region III Denpasar. In 2005, he became active as a geophysics researcher at BMKG. He then served as Head of Academic Administration and Cadet Affairs at STMKG, followed by Head of Earthquake and Tsunami Mitigation at BMKG, and Head of Earthquake Information and Tsunami Early Warning.
Since 2022, Daryono has served as BMKG’s Director of Earthquakes and Tsunamis.