In 2024, Bali recorded an incredible 582 earthquakes. While the vast majority of these were below 3.0 in magnitude, the public is urged to be up to date with what to do in the event of an earthquake or other natural disasters in the province.
Bali Province is particularly vulnerable to natural disasters, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and even tsunamis, due to its location within the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Speaking to reporters, the Head of the Denpasar Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, Cahyo Nugroho, explained the earthquake data from 2024.
He explained that Bali saw a huge increase in the amount of seismic activity last year compared to 2023. In 2024, 582 earthquakes were recorded, but in 2023, only 324 earthquakes were documented.
In 2024 a total of 465 earthquakes were recorded at a magnitude of 3.0 or less. There were 117 earthquakes recorded between 3.1 and 5 on the Richter scale. There were no earthquakes above 5.0.
The biggest and most impactful earthquakes were felt in Gianyar Regency, around Ubud, in September 2024, on the 7th and the 21st of September, measuring 4.8 and 4.9, respectively.
Throughout 2024, the Denpasar Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency detected 7,728 earthquakes in the waters surrounding Bali, East Java and Nusa Tenggara. Only eight earthquakes in this region surpassed 5.0 on the Richter scale last year.
The Bali Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency is working in collaboration with the Regional Disaster Management Agency to conduct outreach to communities across Bali to help increase the level of disaster preparedness.
Nguroho explained “The activities that have been carried out are that the BMKG hoes into schools, givens disaster preparedness for the tourism business world and tsunami drills.”
It is not only the threat of an earthquake that is serious in Bali, but also the fact that an earthquake could trigger a tsunami.
The risk is higher along the southern coast of the island, where all of the major tourist resorts are located. There is, in fact, a risk that Bali could be hit by what is known as a megathrust earthquake.
Speaking to reporters in August 2024, Nugroho revealed that Bali could be hit by a megathrust earthquake originating in the Nanaki Seismic Gap located off the east coast of Japan, specifically within the regions of Kyushu, Kinki, and Shikoku.
Nguroho explained, “If a massive earthquake on the Nankai megathrust does occur and generates a tsunami, we need to be vigilant, as a large tsunami in Japan could potentially reach Indonesian territories.”
He confirmed that while this is serious news, there is no need to panic. He noted, “The earthquake potential on the Megathrust of the Sunda Strait and Mentawai-Siberut is not new; it has existed since before the Aceh earthquake and tsunami occurred in 2004.”
Nguroho was clear: “If the public feels a strong earthquake that lasts a long time, immediately leave the house and stay away from the beach.”
If there is an earthquake that can be felt on a beach in Bali, the advice is to journey inland as quickly as possible and get to higher ground. Tourists will notice orange and blue tsunami evacuation route signs throughout resorts like Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak.
Tourists should talk to their accommodation hosts about earthquake evacuation routes and safety assembly points when they check in to their hotel, villa, or guesthouse.
In December, Indonesia’s national tourism board, Wonderful Indonesia, issued updated guidance to help tourists stay safe and smart in the event of a natural disaster or national or provincial emergency.
Advice included, “Follow instructions: listen to evacuation orders: listen to evacuation orders and directions from local authorities. Stay calm: avoid panicking and focus on reaching designated safe zones.”
Wonderful Indonesia added, “Avoid Danger Zones: Steer clear of restricted areas [and] Stay Informed: check updates from authorized sources like the BMKG and BNPB via TV, radio or mobile apps.”
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