Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has reported a significant increase in earthquake activity across East Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara, with 799 recorded tremors in January 2025, up from 609 in December 2024.
“Seismic risk assessments can serve as an essential tool for disaster mitigation and mapping vulnerable areas,” said Head of BMKG’s Denpasar Geophysics Station, Rully Oktavia Hermawan on Monday (February 17), as reported by Antara.
East Java, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), which fall under Regional Earthquake Center (PGR) III, experience high seismic activity due to their tectonic and geological structures.
This heightened activity is attributed to two major earthquake sources. The southern region lies on a subduction zone where the Eurasian and Indo-Australian tectonic plates converge, stretching from Sumatra through East Java, Bali, NTT, and into the Banda Sea.
Meanwhile, the northern region is affected by the Flores Back Arc Thrust, a fault line running west to east from northern Bali and Lombok to Padar Island in NTT. Additionally, active local faults contribute to the area’s seismic activity.
Earthquake Record
According to BMKG Regional III data, most earthquakes recorded in January 2025 had a magnitude below 3.0, totaling 667 incidents. There were 152 earthquakes with magnitudes between 3.0 and 4.9, while no earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or higher were recorded.
Of the total seismic events, 10 were felt by residents, two each in Bali and NTT, and six in NTB. Approximately 80% of the tremors were classified as shallow, occurring at depths of less than 60 kilometers, while 150 quakes had depths between 60 and 300 kilometers, and three exceeded 300 kilometers.
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In Bali, BMKG Denpasar recorded 29 earthquakes between February 7 and 13, 2025. Of these, 20 had magnitudes below 3.0, while nine ranged from 3.0 to 5.0. Most were shallow, with 25 occurring at depths of less than 60 kilometers.
In response to the current seismic risk assessments, BMKG continues to monitor seismic activity in the region and urges residents to remain vigilant in the face of potential earthquakes.
(Raidi/Agung)
