Indonesia, a nation known for its stunning beaches and vibrant culture 🇮🇩, is now taking serious steps to prepare for potential megathrust earthquakes that could unleash devastating tsunamis 🌊.
Dwikorita Karnawati, head of Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), sounded the alarm 🚨 about possible massive quakes in two critical zones: the Sunda Strait and the Mentawai-Siberut islands. These areas, nestled in the Indian Ocean, have been seismic ticking time bombs for centuries due to seismic gaps.
\"It is just a matter of time,\" Karnawati told reporters. \"Although we still cannot predict when the natural disaster will occur, we need to continue to talk about this issue so that people can be prepared for megathrusts.\"
For those scratching their heads 🤔, a megathrust is a colossal earthquake that happens in a subduction zone, packing a punch of magnitude 8 to 9 on the Richter scale. Basically, it's the kind of quake that movies are made about!
But wait, there's more. BMKG has mapped out 13 hotspots 🔥 across Indonesia with the highest potential for these giant quakes. Four out of Indonesia's five biggest islands—Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi, and Papua—are in the red zone 🚩, facing a minimum potential of magnitude 7.8 earthquakes.
Given that Indonesia ranks among the top 35 countries at risk for natural disasters, these proactive measures are crucial. The goal? To keep communities aware and ready, turning fear into preparedness 👍.
As Karnawati emphasizes, talking about these potential disasters isn't about causing panic but about empowering people with knowledge. So, spread the word! Let's stay informed and prepared 💪.
Reference(s):
Indonesia takes precautionary measures for potential megathrust quakes
cgtn.com
