Indonesia is trialing a five-year joint initiative with Japan to connect mosque loudspeakers to a seismic sensor network, providing remote communities with critical seconds of warning before destructive earthquakes strike.
JAKARTA: Indonesia is exploring mosque earthquake alerts as part of an innovative early-warning system designed to protect communities before powerful tremors strike.
The initiative, reported on October 12, 2026, involves Indonesian authorities and Japanese researchers testing whether loudspeakers traditionally used for the call to prayer can also broadcast emergency warnings.
The five-year project aims to strengthen disaster preparedness across one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries.
How will mosque loudspeakers warn people about earthquakes?
The system connects mosque loudspeakers to seismic sensors capable of detecting the earliest earthquake waves.
When an earthquake is detected, the network could automatically broadcast alerts, giving residents valuable seconds to seek protection before stronger shaking arrives.
Researchers believe existing mosque infrastructure offers a practical advantage because loudspeakers are already widely available and regularly maintained.
Unlike mobile notifications, audible warnings can reach people who do not have smartphones or reliable internet access.
Why is Indonesia developing this warning system?
Indonesia lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area frequently affected by earthquakes and volcanic activity.
Its vast geography, remote settlements and vulnerable buildings make rapid emergency communication particularly important.
Dr Inoue Hiroshi, a disaster scientist at Kyoto University’s Disaster Prevention Research Institute, is leading the initiative with Indonesian researchers.
The project builds on lessons from previous deadly earthquakes, including the devastating 2009 Sumatra disaster.
According to researchers, communities located around 50 kilometres from an earthquake’s epicentre may have just five to ten seconds to react.
Where are the earthquake warning trials taking place?
The research programme began in 2025, focusing on three provinces in western Java, including the Jakarta region.
Several mosques have already been connected to the experimental sensor network.
However, mosque earthquake alerts remain under development and are not yet issuing operational public warnings.
The project will continue until 2030, with researchers also examining emergency notifications through schools, radio and television.
Could other countries adopt mosque-based disaster warnings?
The concept could provide a cost-effective solution for countries with established mosque networks.
Uzbekistan is also exploring mosque-based emergency announcements for natural hazards, while similar infrastructure has been considered for emergency communication in the UAE.
Researchers must still assess technical reliability, community responses and appropriate safety instructions before wider adoption.
Impact to expect
The mosque earthquake alerts initiative could improve disaster preparedness across Indonesia and inspire similar warning systems in other countries, helping vulnerable communities receive faster emergency information.
If successful, the project could demonstrate how familiar community infrastructure can support modern disaster technology without requiring an entirely new public communication network.
