The Earth Disaster Research Laboratory of the Geosciences Study Program, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) University of Indonesia (UI), is ready to add more earthquake early detection devices to be installed in disaster-prone areas.
The device is called the Earthquake Warning Alert System (EWAS). Dr. Supriyanto, Head of the Geosciences Study Program, FMIPA UI, explained that the EWAS has been installed in several homes to help local residents be alerted by early warnings in the event of an earthquake.
Supriyanto continued, explaining that the EWAS installation took place on Saturday and Sunday, October 13-14, 2018, in Sembalun Bumbung Village, Sembalun District, East Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province.
He claimed that the warning system has proven effective and works well after being evaluated. Therefore, he and his team are ready to install the device in other disaster-prone areas.
"This system is effective in detecting small-magnitude earthquakes that occur moments before the main earthquake. So, God willing, we will install more in Donggala, Palu, Cimandiri, Lebak, Banten, and several surrounding areas," he told the UI Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences public relations team. He hopes the EWAS will serve as a guide for residents to evacuate and save themselves as early as possible during a disaster, thereby minimizing the negative impacts and losses caused by earthquakes.
In Lombok, he and his team installed six EWAS units, spread out with EWAS units spaced 200 to 300 meters apart. Public areas, such as shops, places of worship, and the Sembalun Bumbung Village Office, are prioritized for EWAS installation.
The development of the EWAS device was funded by a 2018 Community Service Grant from the University of Indonesia, while the installation costs were sponsored by the UI Cares for Lombok Movement.
How EWAS Works
EWAS provides earthquake warnings in the form of a loud siren.
This device is a vibration sensor that works in an integrated manner. The installed system is in standby mode as long as it is connected to a power source. The siren warning will only be activated when a vibration signal from the earth's surface is detected simultaneously across the entire system spread across an area. Therefore, for localized vibrations (caused by vehicles or other public activity), this device does not provide a warning.
