The Mysterious Ex-Lake Shaky Soil

Bantul, Jogjatrip.com – Few people know that there is an ex-lake soil which will shake or be like bumpy if someone stands upon it. It remains unclear as to when the phenomenon, which local people call embag, started to happen. The location of embag is in the middle of farmlands in Patehan, Gadingsari Village, Sanden District, Bantul Regency.

When Jogjatrip.com paid a visit at this embag, the soil is felt like really shaking when stomped on, as if there was an earthquake. To get upon the soil, we have to first set our foot on the gethek or bamboo trunks put on the ground. Not really hard at the start, but then, it will really feel like bogged down to even make a little step upon the soil for it is like the land is really going to sink.

According to Sadiyo, Head of Supervisory Board of Bantul Tourism Developer Organization, this embag soil lies in an area of farmland and swamp with a depth of 1,5-2 meters. Below it, there are water, mud, and some huge natural stilts. “We actually don’t know how all of these were formed. But below the soil, there are huge wooden stilts like hardwood. It contains mud underground, making the soil kind of loose,” he said.

People indeed have dug the ground and found the underground wooden pillars at the “shaking soil” area. According to Sadiyo, the embag, which is now used for farming, was formed long ago and is a natural phenomenon. It is estimated though, that this embag came into being after the construction of a watercourse that connects the area with Progo River. “This is supposed to be a work of scholars, but turned out to be damaging the ecosystem. To make drainage here is like to dry this place because it is the water from here that is channeled out,” added Sadiyo.

As for Sri Hastuti, a visitor, admitted that what she saw and experience was a new thing and quite interesting despite only being a transit tourism object, not the main one. “Well, to me this is new, quite interesting and arousing my curiosity. This place should be made a serious tourism transit. However, the security of visitors is something they should put their attention on,” she said.

Although embag or the ex-lake soil shakes when stomped, it is not like quicksand. And there is no myth around the embag although local people recognize that there is a mystery still unanswered and perhaps will never be. Until now, no research has been conducted on this natural phenomenon. The shaky soil, which used to be a lake, is not really a tourism object, but still deserves visits. ** (Andreas Eko Wahyu S.)

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