Mitigation and adaptation on tsunami catastrophes in Indonesia through education and geodetic networks

Abstract

Indonesia as part of Pacific Ring of Fire is vulnerable to natural disasters, such as tsunami. In the last few decades, the tsunamis, such as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2018 Palu tsunami, the 2018 Sunda strait tsunami and others, have claimed enormous human causalities and destruction of coastal resources. The tsunami events are without adequate early warning. After the 2004 Aceh tsunami, various friendly countries helped Indonesia by providing tsunami early detection devices, called buoys. However, these tools have not functioned since the last few years due to the high cost of maintenance or the equipment has been lost. It should be noted that the local wisdom of community in Simeulue Island off the west coast of Aceh, called Smong has been able to minimize the impact of tsunamis, where almost no human lives were lost during the Indian Ocean tsunami. Subsequently, the good and dense mangroves have been proven to be able to protect coastal areas and reduce the impact of tsunamis. Based on literature studies, the geodetic (GPS) networks can accurately detect tsunamis. On the other hand, Indonesia already has hundreds of geodetic networks in coastal areas that can be developed for tsunami early warning. This geodetic technology is not only accurate but also inexpensive. Therefore, the geodetic technology can replace the use of buoys. Finally, to minimize the impact of tsunami, this study suggests (1) to implement education of environmental interpretation widely in coastal areas, (2) to restore the degraded mangroves, (3) to conserve the good mangrove, and (4) to develop the geodetic technology as early warning system.