Since ancient times, Bumi Nusantara has become an earthquake and tsunami prone area. Hundreds of earthquakes have been recorded, what the widest audience remembers the most is the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Aceh at the end 2004 ago. This condition naturally occurs, considering that Indonesia is a meeting area of three tectonic plates at once, namely the Indo-Australian Plate, Eurasian Plate, and the Pacific Plate.
From time to time, These three tectonic plates often rub against one another. The results are not half-hearted: geologists at a seminar on geologists in Jakarta in 2014 mention at least there is 80 fault (fault) active in various regions of Indonesia. It means, areas exposed to active faults can be shaken by an earthquake at any time. If the earthquake occurs under the sea, it can cause a tsunami.
From 80 the active fault, the largest are the Semangko Fault which crosses Sumatra Island and the Palu Koro Fault which crosses Sulawesi Island. In the public eye, The Semangko Fault is widely known for its activity in producing earthquakes that claimed lives in Sumatra. From a series of ground earthquakes that often occur in Sumatra, many cities on the island have studied seismic disaster mitigation.
It is different with the Semangko Fault, The Palu-Koro Fault is not well known to the public. Whereas, a fault that extends from the Sulawesi Sea in the north through the Palu valley and the Koro valley, until it empties into the southern part of Bone Bay also has a history of seismicity that is no less intense. According to Mudrik R. Daryono, seismologist at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, one example is a magnitude earthquake 7 SR that happened to 1909 in Central Sulawesi. However, community knowledgeㅡespecially those living in the area traversed by the Palu-Koro Faultㅡ regarding the vulnerability of this active fault is still relatively minimal, including seismic disaster mitigation.
ACT-Skala to Immediately Organize a Palu-Koro Expedition
In the midst of the lack of socialization and education regarding the potential for seismicity in the area traversed by the Palu-Koro Fault, Fast Respond Action together with the Association of Scales initiated the Palu-Koro Expedition program. This expedition will reveal the potential for earthquake and tsunami disasters in the Sulawesi region, especially the area above the Palu-Koro Fault line which stretches from Palu Bay to Bone Bay.
The signing of a long-term strategic cooperation in the field of disaster mitigation between ACT and Perkumpulan Skala took place on Friday (3/3). The Palu-Koro Expedition is the first partnership program for both parties. Together with researchers who are members of the Association of Indonesian Geologists (IAGI) dan Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management, ACT and the Scale Association will examine the Palu-Koro Fault in Sulawesi, which has the potential for old destructive earthquakes. Not only that, the results of the expedition will also be documented for the benefit of disaster mitigation education.
“It wasn't just an expedition, later we will also make a media campaign for disaster mitigation, one example is a documentary on the model of mitigation of destructive earthquakes, especially what happened on the Palu-Koro Fault line,” said Insan Nurrohman as Vice President of ACT.
Trinirmalaningrum or who is familiarly called Rini also made a similar statement. The Director of this Scale Associationㅡan association engaged in research and campaigns for disaster reduction and sustainable development programsㅡis of the opinion that the documentation and results of research on the Palu-Koro Fault are still very few. Even if there is, the results of these studies are still scientific, not popular that can be understood by the common people.
"That's why we then had the idea to carry out the Palu-Koro expedition. We think partnering with ACT is the right first step because ACT itself has been involved in disaster for a long time. We hope that this synergy will produce even more creative programs in the future,he said, shortly before the signing of the memorandum of understanding between ACT and the Scale Association.
Syuhelmaidi Thank you, The Senior Vice President of ACT who at that time also signed the memorandum of understanding conveyed, he welcomed the cooperation program. "The Scale Association is an expert partner in the field of national research. We think that a close partnership with all parties is necessary, especially when it's about disaster. It is hoped that this first collaboration will go well and produce output that is beneficial to the community,he said.
The plan, The Palu-Koro expedition will be carried out in April. In addition to uncovering the potential for earthquake and tsunami disasters, This expedition will also reveal the beauty of nature, wealth of natural resources (mine), cultural uniqueness as well as flora and fauna in the area traversed by the Palu-Koro Fault.
