In order to help reduce the risk of earthquakes and tsunamis, researchers from the academic world are challenged to contribute according to their fields of expertise. This is also the case with lecturers from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA). They are part of the Community Service Team (Pengmas) of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) who visited Pasuruan Village, Umbul Tanjung Village, Serang Regency, Banten Province. There, they handed over three units of earthquake detection devices, the Earthquake Warning Alarm System (EWAS) developed by earth experts from the Department of Geosciences, FMIPA UI.
The three units of earthquake detection devices were installed at three locations, namely the Al-Magfiroh Mosque, Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Al-Khairiyah, and the Umbul Tanjung Village Office, with a distance between points of around 300 meters. Previously, EWAS had also been installed in various regions in Indonesia, such as Banyuwangi, Sukabumi, Ambon, and Lombok. This system is designed to provide early warning of earthquakes.
“This community service activity is a form of our contribution to the residents of Umbul Tanjung Village. Based on data from the Geographic Information System (GIS) Dukcapil in 2023, the population of Umbul Tanjung Village reached 5,052 people, the majority of whom are fishermen, considering the position of the village in the Sunda Strait,” said Dr. Eng. Supriyanto, Head of the FMIPA UI Community Service Team.
According to Supriyanto, the Sunda Strait, which is located between Java and Sumatra, is known as an area with high earthquake potential. This is due to the meeting of two major tectonic plates, namely the Indo-Australian Plate and the Eurasian Plate, which are actively moving and colliding.
“The potential for earthquakes in the Sunda Strait needs serious attention because this area is close to many densely populated settlements and coastal tourist destinations,” he said. He also recalled the catastrophic tsunami on December 22, 2018, triggered by the eruption of Anak Krakatau, which struck the coast of Banten. The disaster claimed 426 lives, left 7,202 people injured, and 23 others missing.
For this reason, the presence of EWAS is expected to help the Umbul Tanjung Village community and the local government in increasing awareness of potential earthquakes and tsunamis. This system works by sending warning signals automatically and quickly when an earthquake occurs. This signal in the form of a loud siren will be heard in less than 5 seconds after the earthquake occurs.
“With EWAS, people do not need to wait for SMS or WhatsApp messages that are only received 5 to 10 minutes after the earthquake. As soon as the alarm sounds, people must immediately leave the building and go to a safer place,” said Dr. Eng. Supriyanto. During the community service carried out on Thursday, October 17, Dr. Eng. Supriyanto visited with a team consisting of Adde Nugroho, S.T., and Ari.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of Umbul Tanjung Village, Oman HM, expressed his appreciation for the assistance provided by the FMIPA UI Community Service team. He hopes that with EWAS, public awareness of the threat of earthquakes can increase 24 hours a day. Thus, it is hoped that the number of fatalities due to building collapse can be minimized.
“We also hope that the presence of EWAS will not only increase awareness, but also educate residents about the importance of disaster mitigation and the steps that must be taken when a disaster occurs,” said Oman.
