BMKG Clarifies Major Earthquake Threat from Lembang Fault

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.

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