UGM disaster studies expert, Dr. Sunarto, predicted that aftershocks in West Sumatra are going to occur for more than a month. Estimates were derived by looking at the size of the main earthquake as a trigger. He could not count, however, how many times the aftershocks would occur. "Based on the experiences in Yogyakarta, these will last more than a month. Well, I don’t know, because the force of the earthquake is larger," said Sunarto, Friday (3 / 10).
Furthermore, he said that the earthquakes that happened twice yesterday morning in Jambi were an aftershock from the earthquake that occurred in Pariaman, Sumatra . "Having seen the maps, the earthquakes in Jambi were located close to Sungai Penuh. Apparently, they are in the Semangko Graben area, aftershocks that no longer occur in Pariaman, "he added.
In relation to the aftershocks, Sunarto hopes that people are more aware of the possibility of landslides in the area along the cliffs in the hills of the Semangko Graben fault because of the amount of rain fall. In addition, according to Sunarto, the aftershocks centred in the Semangko Graben fault may increase volcanic activity. "In the next 2-3 months there will be an increase of volcanic activity. Earthquake-affected area is Sungai Penuh, Jambi, so it is likely for Mount Kerinci to become active, "he explained.
Responding to the accumulated number of victim buried under collapsed buildings, Sunarto said that this is because the most damage occurred in urban areas. The area is located on the alluvial plains, causing a powerful wave of earthquake. "The massive amplitude of the alluvial plains, just like a carpet that is knocked down, has caused houses and buildings to collapse," he said.