Head Of BMKG Reminds Potential 8.7 Megathrust Earthquake Is Not A Prediction, But Calculates The Worst Possibility

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CILACAP - Head of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Dwikorita Karnawati warned that the potential for a megathrust earthquake with a magnitude (M) of 8.7 on the south coast of Central Java is not a prediction or prediction.

"We are in an earthquake-prone area of Indonesia, including in Cilacap Regency," he said after opening the Cilacap District Earthquake Field School in 2022 as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, July 27.

Dwikorita said this was because Cilacap Regency is located on the southern coast of Central Java, which is directly facing the plate collision zone between the Indian Ocean plate and the Eurasian plate.

According to him, the plate collision is a megathrust earthquake zone, the worst case scenario is that if an earthquake occurs at the center of the collision, the strength reaches M 8.7.

"This is not a prediction, it is not a prediction, it will not necessarily happen. It is not just an analysis of earthquake and tsunami experts by calculating the worst possibility," said Dwikorita.

According to him, the worst possibility is the basis of reference for mitigation, namely efforts to reduce or control risks so that if an earthquake or tsunami occurs at any time, the community is ready, both their infrastructure, skills to save themselves, evacuation routes, and places to stay. a safe place is ready.

With the existing preparedness, he said, when a megathrust earthquake occurs based on the worst case scenario, the loss of life can be avoided.

"The earthquake could not be prevented, the tsunami could not be prevented, but the loss of life was prevented. This is the goal of the Earthquake and Tsunami Field School so that if it happens at any time, God willing, the community should be ready and there will be no casualties," he said.

In this regard, Dwikorita asked volunteers who participated in the activity not to keep their knowledge to themselves but instead to disseminate their knowledge to relatives, relatives or the surrounding community so that more survivors from the earthquake and tsunami.

In addition, his party also appealed to every Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), especially the Cilacap Regency BPBD to hold more frequent evacuation drills or rehearsals.

"So that if it happens at any time, the community will understand what to do so they don't panic and can evacuate deftly and skillfully," said Dwikorita.

Meanwhile, the Regent of Cilacap Tatto Suwarto Pamuji said that no one could predict the earthquake and tsunami.

"So, like it or not, like it or not, everything must be ready. But being ready is not just being ready," he said.

According to him, this readiness must be based on the knowledge gained by the community, especially the volunteers through the Earthquake Field School.

He hopes that all participants of the Earthquake Field School after attending the training will disseminate their knowledge and knowledge to the wider community.