Researchers in earthquake-prone Indonesia are conducting a five-year trial to assess the feasibility of repurposing mosque loudspeakers as part of an early warning system for seismic events. The project, led by Japanese disaster scientist Dr Inoue Hiroshi of Kyoto University’s Disaster Prevention Research Institute, aims to provide alerts to communities before ground shaking occurs, potentially saving lives across the archipelago.
Indonesia faces significant challenges in disaster preparedness due to its vast geography and isolated territories. However, the country possesses a unique advantage: hundreds of thousands of well-maintained mosques with established loudspeaker networks that broadcast the call to prayer throughout the day. These existing infrastructure systems could be integrated into a seismic alert network without requiring extensive new installation or maintenance efforts. Project researchers note that mosque loudspeakers are maintained by local communities, addressing a critical challenge in disaster infrastructure sustainability.
The timing of earthquake warnings is critical, as seismic waves travel through the ground at high speeds, potentially giving communities only five to ten seconds to respond in areas located 50 kilometers from an epicenter. This differs significantly from tsunami warnings, which allow considerably more reaction time. Current efforts also include examining how survival strategies differ between Japan and Indonesia, accounting for differences in building construction and population behavior patterns.
The initiative, scheduled to continue through 2030, is exploring additional alert channels including school loudspeakers and radio and television transmissions. Similar mosque-based alert systems are being piloted in other countries, including Uzbekistan, where 272 mosques are being equipped to warn of floods, mudflows, landslides and avalanches. International organizations note that mosques serve as trusted community institutions with significant local influence, making them effective platforms for disaster communication.
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