T

he Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) clarified on Thursday that the possibility of a 8.7-magnitude earthquake striking the Sunda Megathrust, which it raised in late February, could not be ascertained yet as the matter required further study.

The agency plans to cooperate with Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan, to conduct a seismic precursor study assessing soil conditions and ground movement in order to more accurately predict tremors.

BMKG secretary Untung Merdijanto told a press conference at BMKG headquarters in Central Jakarta, on Thursday, that residents should not worry about the possibility of a strong earthquake.

The agency held on Feb. 28 a seminar titled “8.7 Magnitude Megathrust Earthquake. Is Jakarta ready?” as a reminder that the capital is prone to earthquakes because it is surrounded by active fault lines.

Scientists predict that an 8.7-magnitude earthquake could occur along the fault line. Although the epicenter is 170 kilometers away from Jakarta, the effects of such an earthquake could devastate the capital, according to the BMKG said.

During the event, BMKG chairwoman Dwikorita Karnawati urged the Jakarta administration to audit the city’s high-rise buildings and skyscrapers to ensure they could withstand tremors.

Jakarta Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno, who attended the seminar, was fast to respond to the suggestion, ordering the inspection of two high-rise buildings, namely the Artha Graha building and BNI 46, both in Central Jakarta, which were conducted several days after the seminar.

Additional inspections were later conducted on old buildings as well.

The BMKG held another earthquake-related discussion at its headquarters on Tuesday, presenting a tsunami researcher from the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT), Widjo Kongko.

In his presentation, Widjo revealed a more alarming message, saying that a tsunami as high
as 57 meters might strike Pandeglang, Banten, should an
earthquake measuring up to 9 on the Richter scale occur in the Sunda megathrust — one of the most seismogenic structures
on Earth.

The Sunda megathrust is a fault line running from the southwestern side of Sumatra to the south of Java and Bali.

The revelation reportedly caused panic among some Pandeglang residents, but the BMKG assured them that there was no need to worry just yet.

The BMKG, Untung said, merely intended to call on residents, particularly who live in Jakarta, home to 800 high-rise buildings, to be aware of the possibility of a strong earthquake and know what to do during and after such a seismic event.

“The series of seminars and discussions we previously held on a potential megathrust earthquake were solely aimed at educating residents, not scare them,” Untung said.

Dwikora assured the public that more research needed to be conducted on the matter.

However, he urged developers and managers of skyscrapers across Jakarta to regularly carry out earthquake simulations to prepare for the worst.

The BMKG itself is set to conduct a simulation at its headquarters on April 26.