Meulaboh Tombolo Response to Large Tsunami, West Coast of Sumatra Island, Indonesia

Abstract

Meulaboh city which is devastated by the tsunami of 26 December 2004, is situated on the west coast of northern part of Sumatra Island. The city is located on a tombolo that currently also acts as a peninsula in the existing coastline system. West coast of the tombolo which is consists of natural sandy beach coastline in high energy condition of coastal waters was studied for its response to the tsunami. Images from Google Earth were the main data in this study and used for coastal landform analysis before and after the tsunami. Photograph data from various sources and fieldwork data from 2002 also used. Results of this study show that the tsunami was eroded the sandy beach and resulted in an irregular coastline patterns, but the general shape of the coastline pattern remains curved. The erosion had been produced many incised channels and low cliffed coast. Recovery processes was start in a week after the tsunami. The plan shape of the sandy beach was recovered in accordance with eliminating the cliffed coast and closing of incised channel and producing enclosed water bodies. Almost all traces of the tsunami were lost following sandy beach recovery with an exception of enclosed water bodies that far enough from reaching by normal wave activities.