Indonesia Identifies 5 Tourism Destinations Threatened By Megathrust Earthquake Including Bali

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Bali and Indonesia as a whole sit within the Pacific Ring of Fire. This region of the world is home to hundreds of volcanoes and is vulnerable to seismic activity.

Bali is home to two active volcanoes, Mount Agung and Mount Batur, both of which tourists can trek during their visits to the island. 

Bali, like many areas of Southeast Asia, is under the constant threat of an earthquake, volcanic eruptions, or a tsunami. While living with such potential may seem terrifying to many, for those who live in the region, this is simply a part of day-to-day life. 

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Over the past few months, volcanic and seismic activity in Indonesia has been increasing, and although these events have been recorded in provinces other than Bali, their impacts have been felt nationally and internationally. Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki in the Flores Islands has been erupting intermittently since November 2024, with eruptions impacting travel in both Flores and Bali. Over the last few months, dozens of flights have been delayed, disrupted, or canceled due to volcanic activity on Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki. 

On Monday, 7th July, 18 flights were disrupted from Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport to Australia, South Korea, Singapore, and China. In light of this and increased volcanic activity, the General Manager of Bali Airport, Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, announced, “We remind prospective passengers to double-check their flight schedules with their respective airlines and to be at the airport 2-3 hours before their scheduled flight.”

@landuse.id Megathrust dapat memicu gempa besar di wilayah Jawa dan Sumatra. 🌍 Kepala Pusat Gempa Bumi dan Tsunami BMKG, Daryono, sebelumnya merilis pernyataan yang menyebut bahwa gempa di dua megathrust di Indonesia tinggal menunggu waktu. ⏳ Zona megathrust Mentawai-Siberut di sepanjang batas barat Pulau Sumatera dapat menyebabkan gempa hingga magnitudo 8,9. Sementara, zona megathrust Selat Sunda diperkirakan bisa memicu gempa dahsyat dengan kekuatan M 8,7. 🌋 Izin min @tribunnews pake Voicenya #megathrust #gempa #gempabumi #bencana #bencanaalam #jawa #sumatera ♬ original sound – Landuse.id

Increased volcanic activity has also been recorded in East Java, just a stone’s throw away from Bali. Both Mount Semeru and Mount Ruang erupted this month, releasing huge plumes of volcanic ash into the atmosphere and prompting Disaster Management Agencies to implement temporary bans on public access to the peaks to prioritize safety. 

As volcanic activity increases, attention turns to the potential greater risks present within the Pacific Ring of Fire and how these might impact both Bali and Indonesia as a whole. It has been known for decades that the Pacific Ring of Fire is vulnerable to a mega-thrust earthquake.

Earlier this year, the Indonesian Center of Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics confirmed that if a megathrust earthquake originating in the Nanaki seismic gap off the east coast of Japan, in the regions of Kyushu, Kinki, and Shikoku, were to occur, Indonesia would be impacted massively. 

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In a statement, the Head of the Earthquake and Tsunami Center at the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency 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.”

The impact of such a megathrust earthquake would almost certainly surpass the devastation caused by the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami, which destroyed large parts of Aceh Province in northern Indonesia, as well as impacting Bali, many tourist hotspots in Thailand, and Sri Lanka. 

According to the Indonesian Disaster Management Agency, there are five active plate zones within Indonesia. These are the Sumatran Megathrust, the Java Megathrust, the Banda Megathrust, the Northern Sulawesi Thrust, and the Philippine Thrust. Within these five zones, there are 16 active areas with the potential to see major earthquakes and tsunamis, in addition to the Nanaki seismic gap. 

The areas within Indonesia also just so happen to be five of the country’s leading tourism destinations, including the Mentawai Islands in West Sumatra, which are regarded as some of the last surf paradises in the world. Yogyakarta Province is also at risk, as are Lombok Island, Bali Province, and Sulawesi. 

As leaders in Indonesia continue monitoring, assessments, and mitigation protocols, tourists heading to the region also have a role to play. It is important for tourists to understand how evacuation processes work in the event of an emergency and to be well-oriented with their surroundings, even when on vacation.

Tourists should always have fully comprehensive travel and health insurance that provides coverage in the event of a natural disaster, and should discuss emergency and evacuation procedures with their accommodation providers upon arrival. 

Speaking to reporter Suci Dewi Anugerah, the Head of the Indian Ocean Tsunami Mitigation and Pacific at the BMKG said, “The first of mitigation efforts is to prepare an assessment. It means that tourist area managers are able to understand the potential danger that could hit their territory.”

He called for tourism businesses across Indonesia to be reminded of the importance of regularly checking emergency exits and evacuation alarms. He noted that evacuation signs and routes must be well-prepared, easily visible, and understood by tourists, and that they must be implemented effectively. He also called for the development of more educational materials related to megathrust earthquakes and natural disasters to increase awareness and prevent panic.