Jakarta, Indonesia – According to the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry’s Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), the majority of West Bandung District, West Java, falls into the medium earthquake-prone area category, as indicated by yellow mapping results.
“Meanwhile, a tiny region in the western part of the Lembang fault is included in the red color zone of a high earthquake-prone area,” PVMBG said in a statement on Monday.
The earthquake disaster region map is created using three parameters: earthquake source (subduction zones and active faults), local geological conditions (surface soil conditions and basin depths), and seismicity (history and recurrence periods).
A seismic simulation for the next 500 years is being developed probabilistically based on these three factors.
The magnitude of earthquake intensity in Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI), which is converted from the seismic acceleration value, is used to divide earthquake-prone zones.
The map’s level of earthquake susceptibility is supposed to be valuable as preliminary information on potential damage caused by seismic shocks that can affect an area.
The PVMBG stated that the medium earthquake-prone areas highlighted in yellow on the map had the potential to be impacted by earthquake shocks with MMI VII-VIII intensities.
The area is also prone to soil fractures, liquefaction, landslides in mountainous terrain, and small-scale soil changes.
Furthermore, structures with qualified design and construction will be safe or will sustain relatively minor damage. Meanwhile, well-built buildings with typical structures will sustain mild to moderate damage, while badly constructed buildings with poor structures would sustain substantial damage. Earthquake shocks in the yellow zone area can cause damage to fence walls, chimneys, stockpiles, and monuments.
The PVMBG noted that the red areas on the map are places that have the potential for powerful earthquake shocks with an intensity scale greater than MMI VIII in areas prone to high earthquake disasters.
Furthermore, this area is prone to soil fractures, liquefaction, and soil movement on steep slopes. Specially designed buildings, high-rise buildings, shifting on building foundations, and damage to some well-built timber buildings will also sustain significant damage.
To lower the danger of seismic disasters, the PVMBG proposes that the local government increase structural and non-structural earthquake and tsunami mitigation initiatives, as well as increase public understanding of earthquakes.
Furthermore, critical vital buildings and public buildings must be erected in accordance with earthquake-resistant building codes.
Source: Antara