Disaster history of the Prambanan temple complex (Java, Indonesia) – an archaeoseismological study

Researchers have uncovered evidence of two devastating earthquakes that struck the Prambanan Temple Complex in Java, Indonesia, with intensities reaching IX+ on the Mercalli scale. By analyzing structural damage from collapses in 1584 and 2006, archaeoseismology revealed recurring seismic events in a region previously considered a seismic gap. The study identified a consistent stress direction (30°-210°) parallel to the causative fault's strike, providing new insights into past earthquake parameters in Southeast Asia. This groundbreaking approach combines historical data with structural analysis to reconstruct disaster history over 1200 years.

Kázmér, M., An Nahar, R. N. F., & Gaidzik, K. (2026). Disaster history of the Prambanan temple complex (Java, Indonesia) – an archaeoseismological study. Quaternary International, 784, 110468. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2026.110468