Indonesia is testing a disaster-preparedness prototype that utilizes existing mosque loudspeaker networks to broadcast earthquake early warnings. The five-year pilot project, which began in 2025 across three provinces in western Java, aims to leverage the country’s vast infrastructure of mosques to deliver alerts in a region where mobile phone networks are frequently disrupted by seismic activity.
A Five-Year Pilot Across Western Java
Researchers from Japan’s Kyoto University and Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency are leading the initiative. Project lead Dr. Inoue Hiroshi, a disaster scientist at the Disaster Prevention Research Institute, first conceived the concept nearly two decades ago while studying the impact of earthquakes in Sumatra.
Prototype Status Amid Early Hurdles
While the system is designed to connect mosques to a seismic sensor network, it remains in the prototype stage. Andi Eka Sakya, a senior researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency, told The Guardian that while the effort is a potential “breakthrough,” it is not yet an operational system capable of issuing public warnings.
Beating the Physics of Seismic Waves
The effectiveness of the system is limited by the physical speed of seismic waves.
Broadcasting Signals Beyond Mosques
Unlike tsunami alerts, which can provide minutes or hours of lead time, earthquake warnings must be processed and transmitted almost instantaneously to be effective. The project team is currently assessing how to distribute these signals through mosque speakers while also exploring potential integration with school loudspeakers, radio, and television broadcasts.
Contrasting Response Tactics Across Borders
The research project, which is scheduled to run through 2030, also examines how residents in Indonesia and Japan respond to seismic threats. In Japan, official guidance focuses on “drop and cover” tactics. However, Dr. Inoue noted that in Indonesia, many residents historically survive by moving outdoors immediately, a reaction driven by the structural risks of low-rise, unreinforced masonry homes.
The initiative is not the first of its kind to utilize religious infrastructure for public safety. Indonesia Expat reported that the United Nations Development Programme and the Ministry of Emergency Situations in Uzbekistan introduced a similar technical solution, installing alert broadcast devices in 272 mosques across seven regions by March 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the mosque alert system currently live for the public?
No. The system is a prototype and does not yet issue public warnings. The joint Indonesian-Japanese team is currently testing the technology and assessing potential response strategies through 2030.
Why are mosque loudspeakers being used instead of mobile phones?
Mobile phone networks are prone to failure during significant earthquakes. Mosque loudspeakers offer an alternative because they are already present in nearly every community and are maintained by local populations, ensuring the infrastructure remains functional when other communication channels fail.
How much time will residents have to react?
The warning time depends on the distance from the earthquake’s epicenter. Researchers estimate that villages located 50 kilometers from an epicenter may receive only five to 10 seconds of notice, making the system a tool for rapid protective action rather than a guarantee of significant lead time.