List of the Largest Earthquakes in Indonesia in the Last 400 Years

According to data from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG), in the last approximately 400 years, Indonesia has been struck by 14 major earthquakes with magnitudes above 7.6 on the Richter Scale (SR).

The strongest earthquake occurred in Aceh in 2004, triggering a tsunami that caused massive infrastructural damage and resulted in over 200,000 casualties.

The following is a detailed list of the largest earthquakes in Indonesia (>7.6 SR) during the period 1612-2022, based on PVMBG data:

1. Banda Aceh, Aceh Province (2004): 9.1 SR
2. Nias, North Sumatra Province (2005): 8.7 SR
3. Simeulue Island, Aceh Province (2012): 8.5 SR
4. Banda, Maluku Province (1938): 8.5 SR
5. Muko-Muko, Bengkulu Province (2007): 8.4 SR
6. Mangole-Taliabu, North Maluku Province (1998): 8.3 SR
7. Biak, Papua Province (1996): 8.2 SR
8. Batu Island, North Sumatra Province (1935): 8.1 SR
9. Padang Pariaman, West Sumatra Province (2009): 7.9 SR
10. Pesisir Selatan, West Sumatra Province (2007): 7.9 SR
11. Yapen-Serui, Papua Province (1979): 7.9 SR
12. Padang Panjang, West Sumatra Province (1926): 7.8 SR
13. Pangandaran, West Java Province (2006): 7.7 SR
14. North Gorontalo, Gorontalo Province (2008): 7.7 SR

Megathrust Earthquake Potential

Based on the data above, during the period 1612-2022, the majority of Indonesia's major earthquakes occurred in the Sumatra region.

However, this does not mean that other regions are without similar risks. According to Daryono, Head of the Earthquake and Tsunami Center at the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), many areas in Indonesia have the potential for megathrust earthquakes.

Megathrust is a zone of convergence between the Earth's tectonic plates that can trigger major earthquakes and tsunamis. Daryono stated that such earthquakes have the potential to occur in the Sunda Strait and Mentawai-Siberut regions.

"The release of earthquakes in these two megathrust segments is just a matter of time, as both regions have not experienced a major earthquake for hundreds of years," said Daryono, as reported by *Katadata.co.id*, Monday (August 14, 2024).

To address this potential disaster, BMKG has prepared a system for monitoring and disseminating earthquake information, as well as providing quick and accurate tsunami early warnings.

BMKG also provides mitigation and evacuation training based on tsunami modeling for local governments, stakeholders, the public, coastal tourism operators, coastal industries, and critical infrastructure (coastal ports and airports).

These efforts are packaged in programs such as the Earthquake and Tsunami Field School (SLG), BMKG Goes To School (BGTS), and the Formation of Tsunami-Ready Communities.

"Hopefully, our efforts in mitigating earthquake and tsunami disasters will be successful in minimizing the potential impact of the disaster, even to the point of achieving zero victims," said Daryono.