Tsunami Hazards Recognition and Education in Eastern Indonesia

The overall goal of this project was to save lives from tsunami hazards along the southern coast of Java, Indonesia. The primary sites included the following coastal urban centers from west to east: Maurabinuangeun, Pelabuhan Ratu, Pangandaran and Cilacap.

The training involved surveying for deposits and other indicators of paleo-tsunamis, including the use of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and numerical models using GEOCLAW tsunami modeling software.

The team trained Indonesian students and scientists on how to assess and communicate tsunami hazards to those in the harm’s way by constructing tsunami inundation maps and conducting tsunami evacuation drills.

A key aspect of the project was training local leaders and students to collect data, construct maps, and make and deliver presentations. The sociologist on the team communicated natural hazards risk and resiliency training in Indonesia.

Nine undergraduate students from Universitas Pembangunan Nasional or UPN (National Development University) were responsible for implementing survey techniques and developing effective communication protocols for educating those in harm’s way and conducting evacuation drills.

UNSDGs Addressed

SDG4 (Quality Education), 11 (Resilient Cities and Communities), and 17 (Partnership for goals)