Earthquakes in Padang during the colonial period

Abstract

This research explores newspaper records regarding earthquake events during the Dutch colonial period in Padang, West Sumatra. This note is vital amidst the difficulties in acquiring historical statistical data for studying disasters in the past. The method used in this research is the historical method by integrating information in newspapers, particularly those that discuss the situation of society and the policies of the Dutch colonial government in dealing with various earthquakes taking place in the city of Padang during the colonial period. This research is expected to open new insights for developing the discipline of disaster science and provide access to the development of historical disaster studies in disaster-prone countries, in this case, in Indonesia.