Earthquake Events Detected by Continuous Gravimeters in Indonesia

Abstract

Earthquake monitoring and early warning systems play a critical role in mitigating the impact of seismic events on human lives and infrastructure. Continuous gravimeters, sensitive instruments designed to measure second changes in gravitational forces, have emerged as valuable tools for earthquake detection and monitoring. This paper reports the significance of continuous gravimeters in detecting earthquake events, highlighting their principle of operation and contributions to seismic research. In contrast to traditional seismic sensors, continuous gravimeters offer a unique perspective on seismic activity by detecting mass redistributions resulting from the movement of Earth’s tectonic plates during an earthquake. This capacity enables them to capture the initial moments of an earthquake, contributing to early warning systems that can provide critical seconds to minutes of advance notice, enhancing preparedness and response efforts. Some earthquake events were detected by the gPhoneX gravimeters (numbers #123 and #126) placed in Institut Teknologi Bandung, Ganesha Campus. Four possible location events matched with the timeframe of the seismometer recording data on June 15, 2023. This result shows that continuous gravimeters have the potential capability to advance earthquake monitoring and early warning capabilities. By offering a complementary approach to seismic sensors, these instruments broaden our understanding of earthquake dynamics and contribute to developing more robust and effective strategies for mitigating seismic hazards.