Jakarta, IO – Experts have again reminded residents around the South Coast of Java about the potential for devastating megathrust-induced tsunami.
Megathrust is faultline between Earth’s tectonic plates at the location of a subduction zone. The potential for tsunami waves is estimated to reach 10 to 34 meters, per CNNIndonesia, Tuesday (8/8).
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency head Dwikorita Karnawati said the area occupies an active slab.
“In the Indian Ocean south of Yogyakarta there is also a source of subduction tectonic which are still very active,” said Dwikorita.
Indonesia itself is surrounded by a megathrust zone. Two of them are in the west and east of Java southern coast. The two megathrusts have a very large potential for earthquakes of up to magnitude 9.1.
Megathrust earthquakes are a phenomenon that recurs over a certain period of time. This repetition is a natural phenomenon. Some of them occur every 200 years, others around 800 years.
National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) data, information and communication center head Abdul Muhari predicts a repeat of megathrust will occur every 400 years.
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This prediction was produced through research using the GPS method by a number of seismic experts from various agencies. According to records, the last megathrust earthquake occurred in southern Java in 1818. Abdul Muhari said the only mitigation that can be done when a disaster occurs is evacuation to save lives.
“When we talk about megathrust-induced tsunami, we can only talk about mitigation efforts to save lives through evacuation,” he said. (un)