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Indonesia is one of the countries located within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismically active zone surrounded by volcanoes and intersecting tectonic plates. This geographical condition makes Indonesia highly vulnerable to earthquakes and tsunamis.

Types of Earthquakes Commonly Occurring in Indonesia

In general, earthquakes are classified into several types. The two most common types in Indonesia are:

• Tectonic earthquakes, resulting from the shifting or collision of tectonic plates.
• Volcanic earthquakes, triggered by magma activity beneath volcanoes.

Indonesia’s geographical position, flanked by the Indian Ocean to the west–south and the Pacific Ocean to the east, further increases the risk of such disasters.

Impacts of Earthquakes and Tsunamis

Earthquakes and tsunamis have significant impacts on various aspects of life, including:

• Damage to infrastructure.
• Loss of lives and injuries.
• Disruption of economic, social, educational activities, and public services.
• Risk of disease outbreaks due to disrupted sanitation and limited access to healthcare.

FT Civil Engineering Expert Urges Serious Mitigation Efforts

This was conveyed by the Head of the Undergraduate Civil Engineering Study Program of Untar, Dr. Ir. Daniel Christianto, S.T., M.T., IPM. According to him, to reduce these impacts, disaster mitigation must be carried out seriously, one of which is through education and research.

In the academic environment, the Faculty of Engineering (FT) Untar is actively developing knowledge related to disaster mitigation systems. One of the initiatives is a scientific work entitled “Earthquake Mitigation Education during the Pandemic,” which aims to educate the public on the necessary actions during an earthquake. The work also explains the definition of earthquakes and mitigation as efforts for prevention and disaster preparedness.

In addition, a patented research innovation in the form of an earthquake energy damper made of asphalt has been developed. This device functions to absorb seismic energy before it reaches the ground surface, so that buildings only receive relatively small seismic forces.

Students of the Civil Engineering Study Program are equipped with analytical skills and structural design capabilities for earthquake-resistant multi-storey buildings (minimum 8 floors), as well as disaster risk analysis. Through education, research, and the application of appropriate mitigation technologies, it is expected that disaster risks in Indonesia can be reduced, thereby minimizing post-earthquake impacts on society.