BMKG Clarifies Major Earthquake Threat from Lembang Fault

5 hours ago 5
BNPB installs a warning sign for the presence of a fault at the Lembang Fault location, north of Bandung, Friday, April 26 2019. (Tempo/Anwar Siswadi)

TEMPO.CO, Bandung - The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has addressed recent rumors circulating online regarding the Lembang Fault, which have caused public concern. Teguh Rahayu, head of the BMKG Geophysics Station, specifically responded to reports suggesting Bandung is at risk of a major earthquake due to the fault's movement.

Rahayu explained that the agency has installed 33 seismographs, or earthquake monitoring tools, across the West Java region to monitor all seismic activity, including that of the Lembang Fault. "There are six sensors (seismographs) installed around Lembang," she told Tempo on Saturday, June 21, 2025.

Various studies confirm that the Lembang Fault indeed has the potential to cause an earthquake. Based on the BMKG's earthquake shake map modeling, the potential maximum earthquake threat from the Lembang Fault could reach an intensity of VI-VIII MMI.

"At that scale, the shaking can cause serious damage, from wall cracks, broken glass, and collapsed roofs, to the collapse of simple houses," Rahayu stated.

According to Rahayu, the impact of such a powerful earthquake could shake the entire Greater Bandung area, encompassing Bandung City, Bandung Regency, Cimahi City, and West Bandung Regency. "The potential Lembang Fault earthquake, if all segments move simultaneously, could cause a 6.8 magnitude earthquake," she added.

Rahayu noted that the estimated strength of the Lembang Fault earthquake is based on the 2017 Indonesian Earthquake Source and Hazard Map, which has not been updated. He also highlighted that historically, there has never been a complete energy release from all segments of the Lembang Fault simultaneously.

According to BMKG records, the latest significant activity of the Lembang Fault occurred in 2011. "The earthquake had a magnitude of 3.3 and damaged hundreds of residential homes."

Nevertheless, Rahayu still urges the public not to overlook the potential disaster of a Lembang Fault earthquake, even though its timing and exact magnitude cannot be predicted. She emphasized that preparedness can be enhanced through non-structural mitigation efforts by both the community and local governments, such as education, public awareness campaigns, and literacy initiatives.

Structural mitigation includes providing and ensuring information boards, danger signs, evacuation routes and safe places, as well as culturally based early warning systems. "What's more frightening than the earthquake itself is the panic and unpreparedness," she concluded.

Editor's Choice: Magnitude 4.9 Earthquake in West Java Linked to Indo-Australian Plate Deformation

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News



BMKG: Rain to Wet Parts of Greater Jakarta Today

1 hari lalu

BMKG: Rain to Wet Parts of Greater Jakarta Today

BMKG previously said the peak of the dry season occurs randomly across regions.


BMKG's Weather Forecast for Jakarta and Surrounding Areas

2 hari lalu

BMKG's Weather Forecast for Jakarta and Surrounding Areas

Is there a similar potential in the surrounding area of Jakarta? Check out the weather forecast and the potential of rain today from BMKG.


Police Name 44 Suspects After Raid in Bandung Casino

3 hari lalu

Police Name 44 Suspects After Raid in Bandung Casino

The suspects were named by the police after 63 people were arrested in a raid on karaoke and billiard entertainment venues that provided casino gambling facilities.


Mount Raung Erupts Again This Morning, Hiking Trails Closed

3 hari lalu

Mount Raung Erupts Again This Morning, Hiking Trails Closed

Mount Raung in East Java reportedly erupted again on Thursday morning, June 19, 2025.


Magnitude 4.9 Earthquake in West Java Linked to Indo-Australian Plate Deformation

3 hari lalu

Magnitude 4.9 Earthquake in West Java Linked to Indo-Australian Plate Deformation

On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, a magnitude 4.9 earthquake in West Java was triggered by deformation in the Indo-Australian intraplate zone.


Indonesia's Mount Raung Erupts Five Times in the Past Week

10 hari lalu

Indonesia's Mount Raung Erupts Five Times in the Past Week

Indonesia's Mount Raung has been reported to erupt again on Wednesday, with an observed eruption column height of approximately 750 meters.


Tourists Warned of High Waves on Yogyakarta Beaches

12 hari lalu

Tourists Warned of High Waves on Yogyakarta Beaches

BMKG issued an early warning of high waves in Yogyakartan waters for the next three days, June 10-12, 2025.


BMKG Warns of Potential Extreme Weather in West Java During Seasonal Transition

13 hari lalu

BMKG Warns of Potential Extreme Weather in West Java During Seasonal Transition

In the past few days, West Java has experienced extreme weather during the day followed by rain in the afternoon and evening, says the BMKG.


Indonesian Weather Agency Confirms Delay in Dry Season Onset

14 hari lalu

Indonesian Weather Agency Confirms Delay in Dry Season Onset

Despite this delay, BMKG still predicts that the peak of the dry season will occur from July to August.


Dedi Mulyadi Mandates Earlier Start at Schools; Bandung Parents Worry About Traffic

17 hari lalu

Dedi Mulyadi Mandates Earlier Start at Schools; Bandung Parents Worry About Traffic

The 06.30 a.m. school start time rule issued by Governor Dedi Mulyadi is feared to cause traffic congestion in the morning.


Read Entire Article
Fakta Dunia | Islamic |