Officials at the Bali Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency have issued further mitigation warnings for the risk of a mega thrust earthquake hitting the island.
The fresh round of warnings is particularly poignant as Japan stands down tsunami alerts following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake on Monday, 20th April.
Indonesia is located within the Pacific Ring of Fire, and it exists under the constant threat of major seismic and volcanic activity. This is not something unique to Indonesia; many countries in the region, including Japan and the Philippines, have it.
On Monday, 20th April, thousands of people were ordered to evacuate their homes in the Hokkaido prefecture of Japan following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake. The earthquake triggered tsunami alerts, which were in effect fr ours before being downgraded, though Japan’s Meteorological Agency has warned that the country remains at higher risk of a mega-quake for the next few days.
In the hours that followed, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that there were no abnormalities observed at Japan’s nuclear facilities as of 8.16 am GMT. The earthquake in Japan came as officials at Bali’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency reiterated mitigation warnings for a megathrust earthquake that could exceed 9.0 on the Richter scale.
The megathrust earthquake would impact many of Indonesia’s islands, with Bali, Sumba, and the Flores Islands predicted to be amongst the worst affected.
Speaking to reporters, Yogha Mahardika, from the BMKG, explained that seismologists cannot predict when such an event would happen, but rather offer forecasting as to how such an event would play out so that sufficient planning and disaster mitigation efforts can be put in place ahead of time.
He explained, “According to the National Earthquake Study Center’s 2024 report, Bali is included in the area potentially affected by the Sumba segment of the megathrust. However, this is not a prediction or forecast, but rather a form of mitigation education to ensure that the public remains vigilant.”
@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
The general consensus from researchers is that the risk of a megathrust earthquake hitting Indonesia is ‘only a matter of time’, but since there is no technology that can accurately predict when such a natural disaster could occur, the officials at the BMKG issue regular warnings and educational updates to help the public prepare for such a situation.
In a press interview in July 2025, the Head of the Earthquake and Tsunami Center at the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency explained to reporters, “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.”
Tourists traveling to Bali are only able to prepare and be as aware as local communities can be for a megathrust earthquake, a volcanic eruption, a tsunami, or any other natural disaster.
It is essential that all international visitors to Bali, and Indonesia as a whole, take out fully comprehensive travel insurance. It is vital to check the policy in detail prior to travel to be aware of what is and is not covered in the event of an emergency and how to access support.
Tourists traveling to Bali should always check in with their accommodation hosts about the protocols for evacuation in the event of an earthquake or natural disaster.
While a megathrust earthquake is impossible to predict, data show that Bali Province recorded 547 earthquakes in 2025, making it statistically likely that tourists could experience even a small-scale earthquake during their stay on the island.
While most earthquakes do not require evacuation or even action on the part of the public, due to their small scale and location offshore, it is essential to understand what to do in the event of a larger earthquake, and each accommodation provider will have their own evacuation route and emergency response plan.
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