VIVAnews - Yogyakarta and its surrounding cities are as far as tectonic plates are concerned having a fairly high-level of earthquake activity in Indonesia. This is because the areas are located close to the plate collision zone in the Indonesian Ocean.
Yogyakarta is also prone to earthquakes due to the activity of local faults in the land. The tectonic condition causes Yogyakarta and the surrounding cities to become active and complex seismic areas.
“It’s highly possible for strong earthquakes and Tsunamis to strike in the future,” Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency researcher, Daryono said at the monthly seminar “Anticipating Disaster Threats in Jogjakarta” at the Gajahmada University’s Disaster Study Center seminar room on Saturday, October 24.
Based on its earthquake history, Yogyakarta has been hit by destructive earthquakes for 12 times which are in 1840 and 1859 when a Tsunami also occurred, 1867 (5 died and 327 houses collapsed) 1875, 1937 (2200 houses knocked down) 1943 (250 killed, 28000 houses destroyed),1957, 1981, 1992, 2001, 2004, and 2006.
According to Daryono, in Central Java and Yogyakarta, active local faults and loose soil which contains pretty much groundwater have apparently amplify the earthquakes’ vibrations. “The Central Java and Yogyakarta earthquakes are classic examples of shallow subduction temblors that are centralized in Java arc basin, “he said.
Daryono also said Bantul regency has always been the most affected area every time an earthquake occurs. “This particular geographical condition is a fact that must be accepted by those who live in an active seismic area,” he said.
According to him, disaster management should be understood and mastered by the people, the government and private sectors in order to reduce the number of victims and material losses.
Meanwhile, the Disaster Study Center researcher Dr Danang Sri Hadmoko emphasized on the importance of being cautious towards secondary disasters caused by the earthquakes. One of them is landslides that are triggered by post-disaster ground rifts on hills and mountains. “January is when landslides mostly occur due to maximum rainfall, “he said.
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Translated by: Nataya Ermanti
