Prediction of Damage Intensity Level Distribution in Bengkulu City, During the Mw 8.6 Bengkulu-Mentawai Earthquake in 2007, Indonesia

A great earthquake, called the M-w 8.6 Bengkulu-Mentawai Earthquake, occurred and damaged the capital city of Bengkulu Province, i.e., Bengkulu City. This study analysed the distribution of damage intensity levels during the earthquake based on ground motion prediction and site conditions in Bengkulu City. This study is initiated by collecting information related to the earthquake's epicentre. Sites with their V-s30 based on previous studies are collected. The ground motion prediction on each site is calculated using the most suitable attenuation model for Bengkulu City. Furthermore, the damage intensity level is predicted based on ground motion prediction. Maps of damage intensity level and peak ground acceleration are presented. The results show that peak ground acceleration during the earthquake is observed to vary from 0.18 to 0.46 g. The earthquake's damage could be defined as a scale of VIII to X. The prediction of damage intensity level is generally consistent with field evidence found during the earthquake. In general, this study's results suggest that the local government enforce seismic design codes for buildings structures to minimise the earthquake impact in the study area.