Indonesia Prepares to Test Earthquake Warning System, Providing 20-Second Evacuation Window

The Indonesian government, through the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), is preparing to test the Earthquake Early Warning System (EEWS), which can provide up to 20 seconds for the public to evacuate before the main tremors strike. BMKG Head Teuku Faisal Fathani stated during a meeting in Jakarta on Thursday that the trial will take place this month in Jakarta, West Java, and Lampung, after one to two years of development. “This month, we will attempt to operationalise the Earthquake Early Warning System,” he said. He explained that the system works by detecting primary waves (P-waves), which arrive faster than the more destructive secondary waves (S-waves). “Depending on the distance from the epicentre, the system can provide time from a dozen seconds up to around 20 seconds before strong shaking is felt,” he added. Faisal emphasised that the technology is not for predicting when earthquakes will occur, but for issuing warnings once they begin. BMKG is optimistic that within this short window, the public can take various mitigation actions, such as seeking shelter in safe places, heading to evacuation points, or stopping risky activities. This is crucial given Indonesia’s high vulnerability to earthquakes, reinforced by 13 subduction zones known as megathrust areas. Through this trial, BMKG hopes the public will better understand the importance of rapid responses to earthquakes, thereby minimising risks to lives and property.