Christian Simbar, Supreme Dayak Commander of Mandau Talawang Pancasila Movement

The government plans to move the Indonesian Capital Government Center from DKI Jakarta Province to Kalimantan. The Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency at that time Sofyan Djalil, said the new capital city would be in East Kalimantan. One of the considerations, because Kalimantan is still classified as free from earthquakes. But is this true?

Daryono, Head of Earthquake and Tsunami Mitigation Division of BMKG, said that Kalimantan is not completely free from earthquakes. In fact, according to BMKG, there are 3 faults located in East Kalimantan, namely the Maratua Fault, the Mangkalihat Fault, and the Paternostes Fault. Two of them, the Maratua Fault and the Mangkalihat Fault, still show signs of activity. These two faults are located in Berau Regency and East Kutai Regency.

According to BMKG seismic data, at least 8 major earthquakes have occurred in Kalimantan. Here's the list:

1. Sangkulirang Earthquake and Tsunami East Kalimantan

It occurred on May 14, 1921 with an intensity scale of VII-VIII MMI, so that many buildings suffered moderate to heavy damage.This earthquake was accompanied by a tsunami, resulting in severe damage along the coast and river estuaries in Sangkulirang.

2. Tarakan Earthquake East Kalimantan

It occurred on April 19, 1923. This Tarakan earthquake was reported to have a magnitude of 7.0. The impact of the shock had an intensity scale of VII-VIII MMI, so that buildings suffered moderate to heavy damage and ground fractures occurred.

3.Tarakan Earthquake East Kalimantan

It on February 14, 1925. The shaking of this earthquake was reported to be very strong. It was recorded that this earthquake had an intensity scale of VI-VII MMI. Many houses in Tarakan were damaged.

4. Tarakan Earthquake East Kalimantan

It occurred on February 28, 1936. This was the third strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.5. The impact was damage to a number of houses.

Sebaran gempa sejak 1976 - 2016 (USGS)

5. Tarakan Earthquake East Kalimantan

Occurred on December 21, 2015. This earthquake had a magnitude of 6.1 with 16 aftershocks. The epicenter was in the sea at a distance of 29 km northeast of Tarakan. This earthquake damaged many houses.

6. South Kalimantan Pulau Laut Earthquake

It occurred on February 5, 2008. The shaking was felt strongly in Pulau Laut, Pulau Sebuku, Pulau Sembilan, Pagatan and Batulicin. The earthquake had a magnitude of 5.8.

7. West Kalimantan Kendawangan Earthquake

It occurred on June 24, 2016. This earthquake had a magnitude of 5.1, causing some houses damaged.

8. Katingan Earthquake Central Kalimantan

Occurred on July 14, 2018, with intensity scale III-IV MMI. This earthquake had a magnitude of 4.2, felt in Katingan, Kasongan, Batutinggi, and Bengkuang. This earthquake reportedly caused 1 house minor damage.

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