Headline:
Indonesia Braces for Megathrust Earthquake: potentially Catastrophic Tsunami Looms
Byline:
CNBC Indonesia — Jakarta
Body:
Indonesia faces a significant and growing threat from megathrust earthquakes, with potential epicenters located in the Sunda Strait, southern coastline of Java, and the Mentawai-Siberut region. Research from the Geological Disaster Prevention Research Center at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) reveals that megathrust quakes in southern Java recur every 400 to 600 years, and the last one occurred in 1699. Today, tectonic stress has accumulated to critical levels.
Dr. Nuraini Rahma Hanifa, a researcher at BRIN, warns that a megathrust earthquake in the southern Java region could trigger a tsunami as devastating as the one that struck Aceh in 2004. She urges serious attention from stakeholders and the public to mitigate risks. Rahma’s research indicates that the megathrust segment in southern Java, including the Sunda Strait, harbors significant tectonic energy, capable of generating an earthquake with a magnitude of up to 9.1.
"If such an earthquake were to occur, it could generate substantial seismic shaking and tsunami waves that would travel through the Sunda Strait and reach Jakarta in approximately 2.5 hours," Rahma said. Simulations involving BRIN and other research institutions suggest that tsunami waves could reach heights of up to 20 meters along southern Java’s coast, 3 to 15 meters in the Sunda Strait, and around 1.8 meters along Jakarta’s northern coast.
Dr. Rahma further emphasized that the energy stored in the subduction zone continues to increase over time and could unleash a massive tsunami that would not only impact southern Java but also other coastal regions.
To mitigate the risks, BRIN advocates a two-pronged approach: structural and non-structural measures. Structural measures include building tsunami barriers and wave.Prevention structures, and planning coastal development while maintaining a 250-meter safety zone from the shoreline. Additionally, preserving coastal ecosystems, such as mangroves and seagrass beds, can help absorb tsunami energy. Non-structural measures involve public education, evacuation drills, and ensuring adequate evacuation routes and shelters.
In densely populated urban areas like Jakarta, earthquake-proofing buildings through retrofitting is also crucial. For industrial zones like Cilegon, anticipating secondary hazards such as fires caused by fuel or chemical leaks is necessary.
BRIN emphasizes the importance of preparedness and mitigation to save lives, as demonstrated by lessons learned from the Aceh tsunami.
Image Caption:
Potential scenarios of a megathrust earthquake and subsequent tsunami in the southern Java region. (Image: Nature.com)
Read More:
Megathrust Earthquakes: Indonesia awaits looming threat [Link to previous article]
Video:
Saksikan video di bawah ini: Video: Menko Zulhas Singgung Ketidakberpihakan BRIN Soal Inovasi Bibit
