Indonesia Explores Mosque Loudspeakers as Community-Based Earthquake Early-Warning Systems

VoS NEWS DESK | SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY | 12 OCTOBER 2026

Indonesia lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region associated with frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. Its geographical position exposes many communities to natural hazards, making disaster preparedness a major priority for government agencies, scientists and local authorities.

Earthquakes can occur with little warning, leaving residents with limited time to protect themselves. Although modern monitoring systems can detect seismic activity and issue alerts before the strongest shaking reaches certain locations, delivering those warnings to people quickly remains a significant challenge. The effectiveness of an early-warning system depends not only on scientific detection but also on how rapidly information reaches the public.

A project being explored in Indonesia seeks to address this communication challenge by connecting mosque loudspeakers with earthquake-warning technology. The initiative draws on the extensive network of mosques across the country, many of which already have functioning loudspeaker systems used for daily announcements and calls to prayer.

The project is being led by Japanese disaster scientist Dr Inoue Hiroshi, who is working with the Indonesian government to investigate how existing community infrastructure could support emergency communications. The concept is based on a practical observation: buildings and communication facilities that are already established in local communities may offer a useful way to distribute warnings without requiring an entirely new network of public-address equipment.

Under the approach being tested, selected mosques are connected to seismic sensors as part of a trial programme. The wider objective is to determine whether these loudspeakers could eventually provide rapid, locally audible alerts when an earthquake warning is issued.

However, an important distinction remains: the current five-year trial is still being evaluated and is not yet issuing public earthquake warnings through the participating mosque loudspeakers. Researchers are examining the system and its practical requirements before any broader implementation.

One potential advantage is the reach of the existing mosque network. In many Indonesian communities, mosques are familiar local landmarks with established sound systems and regular community use. If the technology proves reliable, these facilities could help communicate urgent information to residents who might otherwise miss alerts delivered through mobile phones or internet-based services.

This could be particularly valuable in areas where telecommunications infrastructure is limited or vulnerable to disruption. Strong earthquakes can damage power supplies, interrupt mobile services and create congestion as people attempt to contact family members. A warning method that relies on a different communication channel could provide an additional layer of resilience.

Nevertheless, the effectiveness of the approach would depend on several technical and practical factors. The system would need to receive accurate information, transmit warnings with minimal delay and operate reliably during emergencies. Backup power, equipment maintenance, sensor coverage and clear procedures for activating alerts would all require careful consideration.

Researchers must also establish how warning messages should be communicated. An alarm needs to be recognisable, understandable and sufficiently clear to prompt an appropriate response. Residents should know whether a sound indicates an earthquake warning, a tsunami risk or another emergency, rather than being left uncertain about what action to take.

The initiative also raises questions about coverage. Although mosque loudspeakers are widespread, their sound may not reach every household, particularly in large urban areas, isolated settlements or locations with significant background noise. A successful programme would therefore need to complement other warning channels rather than replace them.

Researchers are also examining how emergency guidance should reflect local building conditions. Advice developed in one country may not always be suitable for another, particularly where construction standards and building vulnerability differ. The project includes work on locally appropriate response procedures and simulations intended to help people understand how to react when an earthquake occurs.

Indonesia’s initiative forms part of a wider international discussion about making disaster-warning systems more accessible. Japan has considerable experience with earthquake monitoring and public alerts, while Indonesia faces its own distinct geographical, infrastructural and social challenges. Cooperation between scientists and local authorities could help identify which elements of existing warning models can be adapted effectively.

If the trial demonstrates that mosque loudspeakers can distribute timely and reliable alerts, the concept could offer a relatively practical way to extend emergency communication in suitable communities. Its value would depend on careful testing, public education and integration with official disaster-management systems.

VoS STRATEGIC INSIGHT

Indonesia’s mosque-loudspeaker initiative illustrates how established community infrastructure can potentially support modern disaster technology. Innovation does not always require constructing an entirely new network; in some circumstances, connecting existing facilities to reliable scientific monitoring systems may provide a more accessible route to wider public protection.

The strongest potential benefit is redundancy. A disaster-warning system that depends exclusively on smartphones or internet access may fail to reach some people during a major emergency. Combining digital notifications with audible community alerts, radio broadcasts and other established communication channels could make the overall system more resilient.

However, the project’s success must be measured by more than the number of loudspeakers connected. Authorities would need evidence that warnings arrive promptly, that messages are accurate and that residents understand how to respond. False alarms, unclear instructions or inconsistent coverage could weaken public confidence and reduce the effectiveness of future warnings.

Community participation will therefore be essential. Religious institutions, local leaders, emergency services and scientists would need to agree on clear operating procedures, including who can activate alerts, how equipment will be maintained and how residents will be trained. The system should also remain inclusive of people who cannot easily hear loudspeakers or who live outside their effective range.

There is a further lesson for disaster-prone countries around the world: early warning is not simply a technological problem. It is also a question of communication, trust, infrastructure and preparedness. A scientifically accurate alert can only save lives if people receive it in time and know what to do next.

For Indonesia, the immediate priority is to complete the trial and establish whether the system can deliver dependable results. If successful, the approach could become a useful addition to a broader, multi-channel emergency-warning strategy. Until then, it should be regarded as a promising initiative under evaluation rather than an operational nationwide warning service.

Source: The Guardian — Indonesia explores mosque loudspeakers as earthquake early-warning systems | Indonesia Earthquake Early Warning System — Official system information