Centered in the Sea, these are the Facts of Earthquake Cilacap

Cilacap, Central Java, is a red zone of active tectonic plate movement. In early 2026, the earthquake Cilacap continued to grab attention because of the movements. Categorized as a shallow earthquake, its epicenter at sea raises many concerns. The first one is the potential for a tsunami.

The Facts of the Earthquake Cilacap

As a high-risk country, Indonesia was hit again by earthquakes. This extreme zone of tectonic plates’ movement caused several earthquakes in Cilacap. Each of the plate movements causes earthquakes. The earthquake in Cilacap is a new case, and these are its facts.

1. Continuous Earthquake

Cilacap is hit by a continuous earthquake. Two earthquakes increased public awareness about risk mitigation as a result.

At 15.18 WIB on January 27^th, 2026, the first earthquake occurred in Cilacap. It has a magnitude of 4.2, so it is stronger than the second one. The second one happened on February 9^th, 2026, precisely at 04.07 WIB, and had a magnitude of 3.0. The first has 34 km in epicenter depth, but the second has 10 km. If the first is centered at 61 km south of Cilacap, the second is located 152 km southwest of Cilacap.

2. Shallow Earthquake

Cilacap has a warning alert since the continuous earthquake has hit it. They are categorized as shallow earthquakes. This situation triggered the public’s concern. These shallow earthquakes, with depths less than 60 km, should not be ignored.

3. Caused by Active Faults under the Sea

Earthquakes are triggered by the movement of tectonic plates. In the case of several earthquakes in Cilacap, the plate’s movement was caused by the activities of the underwater plates. In this fact, the movement is about the subduction of the Indo-Australian Plate under the Eurasian Plate south of Java. While not a large movement, it is possible that this plate’s movement could trigger a larger earthquake in the future.

4. No Potential for a Tsunami

There is no tsunami effect after several earthquakes that hit Cilacap. This was a significant relief to residents after the panic caused by epicenter of the earthquake was under the sea.

Directions to the Public

Public panic increases because of the occurrence of several earthquakes Cilacap. The government needs to give positive responses. Disaster risk mitigation optimization and guiding the public on earthquake preparedness are crucial. All of this can address their confusion and fear with concrete solutions. Some programs that can be implemented are as follows.

1. Actively Monitor Earthquake Information

Try to actively monitor earthquake information. The BMKG provides updated information on its official website. Reports of earthquakes throughout Indonesia are available, even if they are small or shallow.

2. Only Trust Official Information Sources

The second recommendation to the public is to only trust a trusted information source. BMKG will update the accurate information, as its function in monitoring, analyzing, and reporting earthquakes, on its official website. This information will be more accurate and detailed than other sources that may not be reliable. Reputable media outlets are a second reliable source.

3. Participate in Outreach and Simulation

In addition to increasing educational programs by the government, the public must also be encouraged to participate. Outreach and simulations, the educational programs, are highly beneficial for earthquake preparedness. By accessing various information and practicing evacuations directly, the public will understand the steps to take in the event of an earthquake. The awareness automatically increases.

4. Prepare Emergency Bag

In addition to following the previous procedures, everyone should prepare an emergency bag. This recommendation should be maximized, especially in locations with a high earthquake risk. This way is helpful when evacuating. In the bag, there are consist of necessities (practical food, a set of clothes, a jacket), medicine, and self-defense equipment (flashlight, utility knife, raincoat).

5. Relocation for High-Risk Areas

Relocation must be immediately realized before the next earthquake with a more extreme impact. This relocation program is for residential areas that are located in high-risk areas to avoid the impact of the next earthquake. It is an effective way. To prevent the risk of landslides after an earthquake, slope areas must also be preserved.

Given the increasing potential for earthquakes, disaster risk mitigation programs must be optimized. The earthquake Cilacap is proof of this. Public safety must be prioritized. One way to do this is by optimizing disaster warning systems. Besides sirens or alarms, emergency messages should be given to give comprehensive information to the public, enabling them to understand the situation and take action immediately.

The procurement of an emergency message-sending machine based on SMS (Short Message Service) can be realized by the government. This machine has a wide range, from 500 m to 2 km, for all operators. It ensures uniform and real-time information sending. A specific machine can be purchased at smsbroadcaster.com. Product photos and complete specifications are available.