Preventive Toward Earthquake's Disaster In West Sumatera Based On Geophysic Analysis

Abstract

Earthquake is a natural phenomenon that until now has not been able to predict the time of occurrence and can not be stopped. One of the provinces in Indonesia is prone to earthquakes is West Sumatra, as it is located along the subduction zone of the Sumatera Island. Based on geophysic studies, some areas in West Sumatra has been predicted become earthquake’s prone namely Padang, Pesisir Selatan, Solok, Agam and Mentawai Island. From all that areas, Padang is the region which has the largest potential damage when an earthquake happen. It is because Padang as a capital city of West Sumatera that run multi-complex functions as a center of government, economy, education, housing and tourism. The condition of unstable region and the amount of damages that could be caused by the earthquake need an action of disaster prevention. This paper aimsto explain preventive way to minimize the impact of the earthquake based on geophysic analysis. Moving the capital city to the eastern part of West Sumatera that bordering with the Province of Riau, the District 50 City, is the preventive way towards disaster. The region is relatively stable and not included in the risk zone. Moving the capital city will provide two benefits at once. First, avoid the threat of earthquakes so that the central of government will be more stable. Second, creating a domino effect in the form of new economic growth centers in the border region of the province of West Sumatra and Riau. New economic growth center will be a magnet that attract people to live in that area and encourage the migration of people from disaster-prone areas to the center of the new economy that provides opportunities to improve the economic life of society and to avoid the risk of earthquakes.