UGM Explains Discovery of Underground Cracks at 'Seyegan Lighthouse' House
A team from Gadjah Mada University (UGM) is currently conducting underground mapping at the residence of Mutfiana, a resident of Kasuran Mriyan X, Margomulyo, Seyegan, Sleman, which has experienced recurring fires. Most recently, the team discovered several underground cracks at a depth of about 20 metres, suspected to be pathways for gas escaping to the surface.
The underground mapping at Mutfiana’s house utilises ground-penetrating radar (GPR). Saptono, from the Laboratory of Exploration Geophysics, Department of Geological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering (FT) UGM, stated that the tool is used to detect potential locations where gas might be escaping towards the surface. “The purpose is to see what lies beneath the surface, whether it be buried objects, soil layers, or cracks, all of which can be detected with this device,” Saptono said during a site visit in Seyegan, Sleman, on Monday (8/6/2026).
The research team conducted inspections at several locations where fire had previously appeared. Preliminary results show several points of underground cracks at a depth of approximately 20 metres, suspected to be gas exit routes. However, these findings require further processing. “At this stage, the results are still preliminary and have not been fully processed. There appears to be a connection between the fire points and the visible cracks underground at a depth of about 15-20 metres,” he noted.
Moving forward, these findings will be followed up with geoelectrical mapping to reach deeper soil or rock layers, allowing for the detection of cracks within rock formations and identifying any silt layers beneath the house. “The current findings are quite shallow. According to plan, we will next conduct geoelectrical surveys, similar to those performed by UPN, concentrating our efforts around the house,” Saptono added.
Meanwhile, the initial cause of the fires at Mutfiana’s house remains unknown. Consequently, the Sleman Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has installed two CCTV cameras in the front and middle rooms of the house. “The intention is to observe the origin of the fire. No one has witnessed the actual process of the fire emerging at these various spots directly,” said the Head of Sleman BPBD, Bambang Kuntoro, when contacted on Monday (8/6/2026).
Bambang expressed hope that the CCTV footage would assist the academic researchers. “We hope this can provide additional evidence for the researchers to strengthen their conclusions regarding their findings,” he concluded.