Who doesn’t know? one of the biggest earthquakes that occurred in Indonesia in 2018? The earthquake that occurred in Lombok is a memory that causes trauma and deep sorrow even until now. Many people in Lombok are still traumatized by the earthquake that occurred in 2018.

What Happened?

In 2018, an earthquake occurred in Lombok with a strength of 5.5 SR for 10 seconds. This earthquake immediately caused people to panic and scatter from their activities. A few days later, an aftershock occurred with a much greater force. On Sunday, August 19th, 2018, a 7.0 SR earthquake happened in Lombok again. This earthquake caused massive damage, many people were injured, and even many people died. In terms of the mechanism of occurrence, this earthquake was triggered by the activity of a thrust fault in northern Lombok.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported that this super powerful earthquake originated from the sea, around 30 km northeast of East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), at a depth of 10 km.

Quoted from bnpb.go.id, this earthquake had the greatest impact in several areas such as East Lombok, North Lombok, West Lombok, Mataram, Great Sumbawa, and West Sumbawa. Meanwhile, in Bali, the earthquake was also felt with moderate intensity in several areas such as Jembrana, Denpasar City, Karangasem, Badung, Gianyar, Bangli, Klungkung, and Buleleng for 5-10 seconds. Even in Makassar and East Java, this earthquake was quite noticeable.

The Causes

The Geological Survey Center (PSG) of the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) released the results of an analysis study of the tectonic earthquake that rocked North Lombok in late July to August 2018. The Geological Survey Center revealed that the series of earthquakes that occurred in the past month in Lombok were caused by thrust fault activity in the northern part of Lombok Island, which is part (detachment fault) of the Flores Back Arc Thrust zone.

According to Senior Geological Researcher at the Geological Survey Center, Joko Wahyudiono, based on the results of the focal mechanism analysis, the three major earthquakes with a large scale that occurred in Lombok on July 29, August 5 and 19, 2018 were on the same fault plane segment.

The Impacts

The impact felt was that at that time all the electricity went out throughout Lombok. Not only that, this earthquake also caused deep trauma for the community. In addition, a rumbling sound was heard which was thought to have come from a landslide in the hills and Mount Rinjani. The NTB Governor, Zulkieflimansah appealed to the public to remain alert and calm.

Around Sembalun and Sambelia, East Lombok, the public was asked to stay away from the hills. In addition, the public is urged to stay away from buildings and houses that do not meet safety standards. Educational activities are also temporarily suspended. The earthquake was felt most strongly in East Lombok, which is close to the epicenter. The further impact of the earthquake is still uncertain due to the power outage at the time.

Reported from the setkab.go.id site, the amount of physical damage reached 67,857 damaged houses, 468 damaged schools, 6 damaged bridges, 3 damaged hospitals, 10 damaged health centers, 15 damaged mosques, 50 damaged prayer rooms, and 20 damaged office units. BNPB estimates that losses and damage due to the 6.4 SR and 7 SR earthquakes in NTB and Bali are estimated at more than IDR 2 trillion.

Fatalities

According to a statement from the West Nusa Tenggara Regional Disaster Management Agency on Monday morning, August 6, 2018, the death toll from the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in North Lombok and its surroundings was 82 people. Another statement also stated that North Lombok Regency was the most affected area, with 65 fatalities. Meanwhile, in West Lombok Regency, there were nine fatalities, in Central Lombok Regency two people, in East Lombok Regency also two people, and in Mataram City four people. Meanwhile, the victim data is 4.60 people died, 7.733 people were injured, 417.529 people were displaced.

The Lombok earthquake was one of the biggest earthquakes that occurred in Indonesia. In fact, this earthquake made new history. The effects of this earthquake are still being felt until 2025. Many people still live in houses with cracked walls, living in fear and trauma if an earthquake occurs. Even, the clarity of the assistance provided by the government has not been felt by some people.