Tsunami evacuation sites in the northern Sumatra (Indonesia) determined based on the updated tsunami numerical simulations

Abstract

In many parts of tsunami prone areas, providing tsunami evacuation structures is often regarded as costly and difficult to manage, whereas several existing building and hills can be introduced as tsunami evacuation sites. This research intends to introduce practical and scientific methods in assessing the feasibility of hills and buildings for vertical tsunami evacuation facilities. Here, the aim is to combine tsunami numerical simulations and field assessment to determine suitable hills and buildings as vertical tsunami evacuation facilities in Calang and Banda Aceh (Indonesia) that were severely destroyed by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The numerical simulations were based on the latest condition of land cover of the study area, which has changed significantly in the last 20 years. Using the newly updated land cover, the tsunami model reveals that the tsunami estimated maximum height is 13 m in Calang. The existing buildings and hills, with an altitude higher than tsunami heights, which can be reached within 30 min (15 min less than the minimum tsunami arrival times) from the centres of the villages, are proposed as tsunami evacuation sites. In Banda Aceh and Calang, 10 public buildings, 13 mosques, and 4 hills are proposed as alternative escape sites.