Experts Urge Twin Earthquake Mitigation Based on Venezuela Experience

The Venezuela earthquake doublet on 24 June 2026 serves as a stark reminder that such scenarios cannot be ignored in disaster mitigation studies, according to the Sulawesi Earthquake Study Centre (PSGS). PSGS Director Ardy Arsad stated that the government needs to learn from the Venezuelan event, which saw a magnitude 7.2 quake followed by a magnitude 7.5 tremor just 39 seconds later on the same day. He emphasised that this phenomenon, where large earthquakes occur almost simultaneously, is extremely rare in seismological history. Arsad noted that Indonesia is located in a highly active tectonic environment, with earthquake sources originating from subduction zones, active strike-slip faults, and segmented fault systems spread across various regions, such as the post-earthquake area in Palu, Central Sulawesi. Several active fault systems in Indonesia, including the Palu-Koro Fault, the Sumatra Fault, and the Sunda subduction zone, exhibit segmented rupture characteristics that could potentially release energy sequentially. Recent research indicates that a major rupture does not always stop at one segment but can propagate to adjacent segments, resulting in longer shaking durations and more extensive damage. This phenomenon opens new research avenues regarding structural behaviour under multiple strong ground motions, particularly in near-source regions. Arsad highlighted that the implications for Indonesia’s seismic resilience regulations require attention. The current national standard, SNI 1726:2019, is fundamentally developed based on a single design earthquake scenario. While this approach provides a good level of safety for most conditions, the twin earthquake phenomenon presents an extreme loading scenario that has not been specifically evaluated. He stressed the need for further research to determine whether two consecutive episodes of strong shaking could increase cumulative damage to structures, and to assess the impact on critical facilities such as hospitals, bridges, dams, power plants, ports, and other vital infrastructure.