Explain The Potential Earthquake Of 15 Megathrust Segments, BRIN: Crossing From South Sumatra To North Papua

Researcher from the BRIN Geological Disaster Research Center, Nuraini Rahma Hanifa, explained the maximum potential for earthquakes that could occur in 15 megathrust segments in Indonesia during an online event, Monday (2/9/2024). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Researcher from the Center for Geological Disaster Research, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Nuraini Rahma Hanifa explained the various maximum earthquake potentials that could occur in 15 megathrust segments in Indonesia.

"There are 15 megathrust segments that span from the west coast of South Sumatra (Sumsel), Java, to the south of Bali, NTT, NTB, North Sulawesi, and North Papua. Indeed, in terms of potential, the magnitude can be up to 9 yes," said Rahma in a speech which was followed online in Jakarta, Monday.

Rahma explained that these various potentials are found in the Aceh-Andaman segment with a potential of 9.2 maximum magnitude (Mmax), Nias-Simeulue 8.9 Mmax, Batu Islands 8.2 Mmax, Mentawai-Siberut 8.7 Mmax, Mentawai-Pagai 8.9 Mmax, Enggano 8.8 Mmax, and the Sunda-Banten Strait 8.8 Mmax.

Then, West Java 8.8 Mmax, Central Java-East Java 8.9 Mmax, Bali 9.0 Mmax, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) 8.9 Mmax, East Nusa Tenggara 8.7 Mmax, North Sulawesi 8.5 Mmax, Philippines-Maluku 8.2 Mmax, North Banda Sea 7.9 Mmax, and South Banda Sea 7.4 Mmax.

According to Rahma, the megathrust earthquake has special characteristics whose cycle repeats itself.

"From these 15 megathrust segments, we have a history of 20 years ago exactly in 2004, we experienced a megathrust earthquake in Aceh," he said.

In addition to the Aceh earthquake, said Rahma, a megathrust earthquake was also experienced in Pangandaran, West Java and Nias Island, North Sumatra in 2006 and Pacitan, East Java in 1994.

"Megathrust is an earthquake whose cycle is repeated, so indeed the potential in the future is for megathrust, yes, he will exist, and will repeat itself. But, maybe the time period is quite long, yes," he said.

As for the biggest risk, said Rahma, it is not only influenced by the largest magnitude scale, but is also influenced by how much population is found in the area in these segments.

"This means that if we bring together a large megathrust earthquake scale with the densest population, the risk will be higher in Java," he said.

However, Rahma emphasized that megathrust is not a disaster, but is a natural phenomenon that must occur, because of fluctuations and the earth's revolution that has resulted in natural dynamics.

For this reason, he encourages all Indonesian people, both relevant stakeholders and all citizens to jointly strengthen themselves to be able to adapt and anticipate the phenomenon of a megathrust earthquake, as an effort to mitigate themselves from major disasters, which can save many human lives.