BMKG Reveals Mysterious Booms in Greater Bandung Not Caused by Earthquake Activity

PRESS RELEASE

Bandung, September 5, 2026 — The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), through the Bandung Geophysical Station, has confirmed that the phenomenon of loud booms heard in the Greater Bandung area and its surroundings on Saturday (5/9) early morning was not caused by earthquake activity or local weather phenomena. This conclusion was reached after BMKG conducted a thorough evaluation of seismic monitoring data, lightning activity, weather conditions, and the Earth's magnetic field.

Head of the Bandung Geophysical Station, Suaidi Ahadi, explained that BMKG responded quickly to public reports regarding repeated booming sounds heard from 00:30 to 05:00 WIB. The analysis of BMKG's seismic monitoring data showed no seismic activity in the Bandung area and its surroundings during that timeframe, ensuring that the potential for an earthquake as the trigger for the booms is nil.

"In addition to seismic parameters, BMKG also checked atmospheric conditions and air electrical activity in the West Java region. Lightning Detector monitoring recorded lightning activity in Greater Bandung at a relatively low and insignificant intensity," Suaidi said in an online press conference on Saturday (5/9).

Furthermore, general weather conditions were observed to be clear with consistent wind movement from East to West, indicating the absence of local extreme weather phenomena triggering the booms.

Although the eruption activity of Mount Anak Krakatau (GAK) was detected via satellite imagery and increased lightning activity around it, BMKG considers it unlikely that the sound traveled to Bandung. The wind blowing from East to West at the time of the incident reduced the chance of eruption sound waves propagating toward Greater Bandung, suggesting the source of the booms likely came from another source that still requires in-depth study.

On the other hand, BMKG instruments recorded several anomalies that are being used for further analysis. Monitoring at Sebesi Island recorded seismogram anomalies at 23:08 WIB and 23:32 WIB (16:08 UTC and 16:32 UTC). Magnetic field stations in Sukabumi (SKB) and Serang (SRG) also recorded internal Earth magnetic disturbances during the period of September 4 at 23:00 WIB to September 5 at 02:00 WIB, without any solar storm activity found.

"However, BMKG emphasizes that all these anomaly findings cannot yet be directly linked as the definite cause of the booming sounds," he said.

To ensure the exact cause of this phenomenon, the Bandung Geophysical Station continues intensive monitoring of seismic, lightning, magnetic, and atmospheric activity and is strengthening coordination with relevant agencies. BMKG urges the public in the Greater Bandung area to remain calm, not be influenced by speculative issues that cannot be accounted for, and always update official information through BMKG communication channels.

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