BMKG Identifies Three Active Faults Around IKN, East Kalimantan

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Daryono, head of the Earthquake and Tsunami Center at the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), said that the State Capital of Nusantara or IKN is surrounded by multiple active faults. 

“The agency’s monitoring results show that the Maratua Fault, Mangkabayar Fault, and Paternoster Fault remain active. This is evidenced by the seismic activities even at low magnitudes,” Daryono told Tempo on Friday, April 26.

The Maratua Fault is located approximately 300 kilometers from IKN, while the Mangkabayar Fault is situated around 245 km away, and the Paternoster Fault is about 80 km away.

Based on the shakemap analysis, the potential for vibrations and shocks from the Maratua Fault and the Mangkajalan Fault in the IKN area may reach an intensity scale of III MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity scale, measuring the effects of an earthquake at a given location), while the Paternoster Fault may hit III-IV MMI.

“The BMKG monitoring results show that the IKN area is a low seismicity zone, and there has never been any destructive earthquake activity [in the area] throughout Indonesia's earthquake history,” Daryono explained. “So there is no credible source of active fault, especially in the IKN area.”

As a mitigation measure, he suggested that every building in IKN must comply with the building code for earthquake-resistant infrastructure, since the new capital is proximate to several active faults, including one in the Makassar Strait and the subduction plate in the Sulawesi Sea.

IRSYAN HASYIM (CONTRIBUTOR)

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