UGM Researchers are examining how far the utilization of Atropatena can go as a tool for short-term earthquake prediction. During this time, there has been no tool that can predict when earthquakes will occur. This was conveyed by one of the Atropena researchers from UGM Dr. Wahyudi, M. Sc, Wednesday (2/6), in a PSBA monthly seminar commemorating the Jogjakarta earthquake that took place four years ago.
Wahyudi explained Atropatena is a tool that can record the gravity field variations due to tectonic wave before an earthquake. Up to this time, only three stations have been installed around the world, one of them is in Jogjakarta. The two others are in Baku, Azerbaijan, and Islamabad, Pakistan.
Wahyudi explained that the station built in Jogjakarta has been connected with the website. Thus, they are able to know the changes in tectonic waves around the world at any time. "This station can determine the changes in tectonic waves within a radius of 750 km," he said.
One of the methods of this Atropatena earthquake prediction system is using the travel time method of signal anomaly. Therefore, the speed wave is important in determining when an earthquake occurrs.
The Lecturer of Physical Engineering Department admitted that Atropatena is still debated by the scientists. Nevertheless, UGM researchers continue to monitor the station built in Jogjakarta. "It is still a new discourse for scientists to predict earthquakes. Indeed, the scientists still do not trust this tool can work, and it has yet to prove its function," he added.
Despite the fact, according to Wahyudi, research has yet to be developed for the Atropatena to benefit the community.