Indonesia identifies 5 earthquake-prone tourist zones, including Bali

Bali and all of Indonesia are located within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for its hundreds of volcanoes and high seismic activity. Bali itself is home to two active volcanoes, Agung and Batur, which are popular with tourists for their hiking. Like many other parts of Southeast Asia, Bali is constantly threatened by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis. However, despite the potential danger, for locals, this is part of everyday life.

Indonesia has experienced a marked increase in volcanic and seismic activity in recent months, with the effects felt both nationally and internationally, even when the events themselves occur outside of Bali. For example, the Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano on the Flores Islands has been erupting periodically since November 2024, significantly complicating travel to both Flores and Bali, with dozens of flights delayed, disrupted, or cancelled due to the activity. The trend has also been seen in Bali, where 18 international flights from Ngurah Rai Airport to Australia, South Korea, Singapore and China were disrupted on Monday, July 7. In light of these developments, Bali Airport CEO Ahmad Syawgyi Shahab urged potential passengers to double-check their flight schedules with their airlines and to arrive at the airport 2-3 hours before departure. East Java, just a stone's throw from Bali, has seen increased volcanic activity in recent times. Mount Semeru and Mount Ruang have erupted this month, spewing huge clouds of volcanic ash into the atmosphere. In response, disaster management agencies have temporarily closed public access to the peaks to ensure safety.

As volcanic activity increases, attention is turning to the potentially greater risks associated with the Pacific Ring of Fire. The region has been known for decades to be particularly vulnerable to megathrust earthquakes, which could have far greater impacts.

Of particular concern is the announcement by Indonesia’s Centre for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG) that a megathrust earthquake in the Nankai seismic zone off the east coast of Japan could have widespread impacts on Indonesia. The head of BMKG’s Earthquake and Tsunami Centre explained: “If a major earthquake in the Nankai megathrust region does occur and generates a tsunami, we need to be vigilant as a major tsunami in Japan could potentially reach Indonesia.”

The damage from such a major earthquake and the resulting tsunami would almost certainly exceed that caused by the Boxing Day tsunami of 2004. The disaster destroyed much of Aceh Province in northern Indonesia, and also affected Bali and many tourist destinations in Thailand and Sri Lanka, leaving behind colossal casualties and destruction. Indonesia, known for its picturesque landscapes and popular tourist destinations, is also an area of high seismic activity. According to the Disaster Management Agency, the country is home to five active tectonic plate zones - the Sumatran, Java, Banda, North Sulawesi and Philippine Thrusts - within which, in addition to the Nanaki Seismic Zone, there are 16 active areas potentially susceptible to strong earthquakes and tsunamis. What makes the situation special is that many of these seismically active areas are also Indonesia’s leading tourist destinations, including the Mentawai Islands, a popular surfing paradise, the cultural hub of Yogyakarta, Bali, Lombok and Sulawesi.

While Indonesian authorities are actively monitoring, assessing risks and developing mitigation protocols, it is vital that tourists heading to these locations remain vigilant. They should familiarise themselves with evacuation procedures in advance, be well-versed in their surroundings and always have comprehensive travel and health insurance that covers natural disasters. Once on site, it is advisable to discuss evacuation and emergency procedures with the staff of the accommodation of choice, as the head of the BMKG tsunami mitigation department noted, “the first step in mitigation work is to prepare an assessment,” which means that tourism area managers have a thorough understanding of the potential hazards.

In order to improve tourist safety and emergency preparedness, an important message has been sent to tourism businesses across Indonesia. It stressed the vital need for regular testing of all emergency exits and warning systems such as alarms. Particular attention was paid to the fact that signs and evacuation routes should not only be carefully prepared, but also easily visible, understandable to foreign tourists, and effectively used in practice. Furthermore, an urgent need was expressed for the development and dissemination of additional educational materials on major earthquakes and other natural disasters. This initiative is intended to increase general awareness among both locals and visitors, thereby helping to prevent panic and ensure a more coordinated response in the event of an emergency.