Cimandiri Fault a Possible Cause of Devastating Earthquake in West Java

TEMPO.CO, Cianjur - The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Head Daryono on Monday presented its analysis of the earthquake that devastated the West Java region of Cianjur on Monday at noon. The main suspect for the cause of the quake, he said, is believed to come from the Cimandiri Fault. 

“This earthquake’s hypocenter happened 11 kilometers beneath the ground and is classified as a shallow one,” he explained.

An article entitled ‘Tectonics of the Cimandiri Fault’ published by the Faculty of Geological Engineering, Padjadjaran University, states that the fault is located in the western part of West Java with fairly high earthquake potential. This fault is divided into two parts, namely the western and eastern parts.

The western segment of the Cimandiri Fault stretches from Pelabuhanratu, Sukabumi, to the Walat Hills. Meanwhile, the eastern segment stretches from Sukabumi, the border of Cianjur, and stretches to Mount Tangkuban Perahu.

In addition, the Indonesian Earthquake Source and Hazard Map compiled by the National Earthquake Study Center divides the Cimandiri Fault into three segments, namely the Cimandiri, the Nyalindung-Cibeber, and the Rajamandala segments.

The Cimandiri segment stretches for 23 kilometers and holds the potential to create earthquakes of up to a maximum magnitude of 6.7.

Meanwhile, the Nyalindung-Cibeber stretches for 30 kilometers and is said to hold a potential threat of an earthquake of magnitude 6.5. Lastly, the Rajamandala segment is a segment on the Cimandiri Fault which stretches the farthest, which is 45 kilometers, and holds a potential threat of an earthquake of magnitude 6.6.

The latest Koran Tempo report states that the epicenter of the Cianjur Earthquake on Monday was in the Rajamandala segment and very close to the tip of the Lembang Fault. The natural disaster caused thousands of families to evacuate to refugee camps due to the destruction.

Until last night, aftershocks continued to occur in the Cianjur area and the BMKG did not dare to conclude whether the situation was safe or not for locals to return to their homes. 

EIBEN HEIZIER

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