Government launches earthquake zone maps

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 07/16/2010 1:28 PM

The Public Works Ministry launched six new earthquake zone maps to support the development of earthquake-resilient infrastructure on Friday.

"We are doing this in response to the greater frequency of earthquakes in recent years. We realize that buildings and infrastructures should be resilient to earthquakes to reduce the number of fatalities," said the ministry's Head of Research and Development Sumaryanto Widiyatin.

The new maps comply with the 2006 International Building Code and are based on three-dimensional earthquake source analysis. The maps are expected to function as references for constructing buildings and infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, dikes and irrigation channels.

He added that his team was also preparing a draft revision of the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) 03-1726-2002 on earthquake resistant or resilient construction, which is expected to be completed in August of this year. (lnd)