Six Megathrust Prone Areas in Indonesia

On August 26, 2024, an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.8 took place in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY). According to BMKG, DIY is a province that needs to be vigilant because it is one of the vulnerable points for megathrust earthquakes. Megathrust earthquakes occur when tectonic plates move suddenly in a subduction zone, generating enormous energy. These events are often followed by tsunamis that can cause massive damage and loss of life. An example of a megathrust earthquake that  occurred is the earthquake and tsunami in Aceh in 2004, which killed hundreds of thousands of people and caused severe damage in the coastal areas of the Indian Ocean. Several regions in Indonesia are in zones prone to megathrust earthquakes. Here are six megathrust-prone areas in Indonesia:

1. Sumatra Subduction Zone
   The Sumatra subduction zone runs along the west coast of Sumatra Island, from Aceh to Lampung. This zone is where the northward-moving Indo-Australian Plate meets the Eurasian Plate. The region has experienced several large megathrust earthquakes, including the 2004 earthquake in Aceh with a magnitude of 9.1–9.3 that caused a devastating tsunami in the Indian Ocean.
2. Java Subduction Zone
   The Java subduction zone is located south of Java Island, where the Indo-Australian Plate moves beneath the Eurasian Plate. Given the high seismic activity in this region, the megathrust potential in this zone is very large.  In addition, the region is also very densely populated, so the risk of disaster and damage from a megathrust earthquake can be very significant.
3. Nusa Tenggara and Bali Subduction Zone
   The subduction zone lies to the south of the Nusa Tenggara and Bali regions.  This zone also has megathrust potential due to intense tectonic activity. The earthquake in Lombok in 2018,  with a magnitude of 6.9,  is one example of seismic activity in this region, although it is not categorized as a megathrust. However, the risk of a megathrust earthquake remains due to the presence of an active subduction zone.
4. Banda Sea Subduction Zone
   The Banda Sea, located in eastern Indonesia, is also a subduction zone prone to megathrust earthquakes. This region is the meeting point of several small tectonic plates, such as the Maluku Sea Plate, Banda Sea Plate, and Timor Sea Plate. The complexity of this plate meeting increases the potential for megathrust earthquakes in the region.
5. Sulawesi and Maluku Subduction Zone
   The Sulawesi and Maluku regions have significant megathrust potential, especially in the northern part of Sulawesi and the Maluku Sea. Seismic activity in this region is often high, with interaction between the Pacific Plate and surrounding microplates. Megathrust earthquakes in this region can cause tsunamis that affect the surrounding coastal areas.
6. Papua Subduction Zone
   Papua, especially in the north and south,  is also vulnerable to megathrust earthquakes. The northern part of Papua is at the confluence of the Pacific Plate and the Philippine Sea Plate, while the southern part is associated with the subduction of the Indo-Australian Plate. The tectonic activity in this region makes it one of the areas to watch out for.

Given the potential dangers of megathrust earthquakes, it is important for the Indonesian government and society to improve disaster preparedness and mitigation. This includes public education on evacuation measures, construction of earthquake-resistant infrastructure, improvement of tsunami early warning systems, as well as inter-agency coordination in handling disasters.

Indonesia's megathrust prone areas include most of the west and south coastal regions, as well as some areas in eastern Indonesia. With an understanding of these risks, better disaster mitigation and preparedness measures can be implemented to reduce the impact of future megathrust earthquakes. Staying alert and prepared is the key to protecting yourself and your family from the threat of megathrust earthquakes.

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