Structural Geology & Tectonics

Recent earthquake catastrophes in Japan (2011), Haiti (2010) and Chengdu, China (2008) 38 all happened in regions mapped as relatively ’low’ seismic hazard (Stein et al. 2012). 39 One factor contributing to this forecasting failure is the over reliance on the relatively 40 short (50 year) instrumental earthquake record. Although historical records of centuries 41 of seismic events exist in these regions, they were rarely used in hazard assessments. 42 Reliable data from historical accounts of earthquake and tsunami events can help 43 constrain long-term seismic potential in areas with little to no earthquakes during the past 44 50 years (Musson & Jimenez 2008).

Indonesia is one of the most tectonically active and densely populated places on Earth. It is surrounded by subduction zones that accommodate the convergence of three of Earth's largest plates. Some of the largest earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions known in world history happened in Indonesia.