In his oration, Prof. Asep highlighted the long-standing relationship between human civilization and volcanoes. He explained that volcanoes are not merely landscapes, but an integral part of the nation's history, resources, and energy future. Currently, Indonesia is home to around 127 active volcanoes and 674 other volcanoes stretching from Sumatra to Maluku.

“For Indonesia, volcanoes are not just a part of the landscape. Our geological history, resources, and a significant part of our nation's energy future lie within them. The question I have always pursued is: how can we understand volcanoes comprehensively, quantitatively, and predictively to support both public safety and national energy security?” said Prof. Asep.

He explained that the evolution of science has shifted humanity's perspective from fear to understanding. There are five eras of understanding volcanoes: starting from the supernatural era, the observation era, the seismic measurement era, the satellite era, and now entering the artificial intelligence era, where volcanoes are digitally represented to simulate and predict their behavior.

The Birth of the Digital Volcanology Concept

The main challenge in observing volcanoes in Indonesia is the tropical environment, which is characterized by persistent cloud cover, dense vegetation, steep terrain, and locations scattered across thousands of islands. To overcome these field observation obstacles, satellite-based monitoring has become the primary solution, giving rise to the concept of "Digital Volcanology."

Prof. Asep explained that Digital Volcanology is an approach to understanding volcanoes through spatio-temporal observation, multi-sensor integration, and artificial intelligence. This approach is supported by three main pillars: reading surface activity, understanding subsurface processes, and integrating information into a knowledge system.

"Every volcano has a different language. Mount Merapi speaks through deformation processes and lava domes, while Mount Sinabung speaks through changes in surface roughness. Through satellites and digital volcanology, we integrate isolated indicators into a connected system to translate this language of the earth," he explained.

From Disaster Risk to Geothermal Potential

Prof. Asep also emphasized the importance of a paradigm shift, moving away from merely reducing disaster risks to harnessing the potential of volcanoes. The volcanic system that produces hazards is the very same system that stores massive energy resources, one of which is geothermal energy.

To address the challenges of exploring geothermal energy hidden beneath dense vegetation and weathered soil, Prof. Asep utilizes the integration of thermal data, radar, geological structures, and field observations to identify steam spots and fluid pathways. This approach significantly reduces uncertainty and increases the efficiency of geothermal exploration.

Artificial Intelligence and the 'Digital Volcano Twin'

With the current abundance of satellite data, artificial intelligence has become a necessity for detecting patterns and anomalies. The future vision is to build an Indonesian Digital Volcano Twin, a digital representation of a volcano that is continuously updated with satellite data, field sensors, and geophysics.

“For thousands of years, humans have viewed volcanoes as objects of fear. Today, we read them as data systems. In the future, through digital volcanology, we hope to be able to transform Indonesia's volcanic wealth into a foundation for public safety, clean energy, and national energy independence,” he concluded.

Profile of Prof. Asep Saepuloh

Prof. Dr.Eng. Ir. Asep Saepuloh, S.T., M.Eng. is a Professor in the Petrology, Volcanology, and Geochemistry Research Group. He completed his undergraduate studies at Institut Teknologi Bandung and earned his Master's and Doctoral degrees from Kumamoto University, Japan.

He currently serves as the Chair of the Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Student Affairs Commission at ITB. His research focuses on remote sensing for volcanoes, geothermal energy, geology, and the environment. His latest research includes volcanic deformation analysis, tropical energy independence, smart geothermal seepage systems, and sustainable mineral exploration.

Prof. Asep's academic dedication is reflected in his 187 scientific publications, as well as his role as an editor and reviewer for reputable Q1 international journals. Amidst his busy schedule as a researcher and educator, he enjoys reading, hiking, and gardening.

Reporter: Chysara Rabani (Mining Engineering, 2022)