The sand layer Tsunami Reveals Ancient Traces

The tsunami that hit Aceh in 2004 was not the first tsunami ever occurred in the Veranda of Mecca. Based on research conducted by LIPI, been hit by the tsunami in Aceh, about 600 years ago.

The study was conducted by analyzing sediment paleotsunami in Meulaboh, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam. "From there, seen that there was once a large tsunami in Aceh, about 600 years ago," said Eko Yulianto, LIPI researcher, on Monday (7/25/2011).

The data disclosed by this Eko dismissed the notion that the province has never been hit by earthquakes above 9 on the Richter scale before 2004. "Unfortunately, this was discovered after the disaster of 2004. If found early, the actual number of victims of the earthquake and tsunami can be minimized," said Eko.

Eko opinion is supported by Brian F. Atwater of the USGS. Brian estimates that the same disaster happened in 1800. "The tsunami in Aceh in 2004 was not the first," he said.

Tsunami Pangandaran

Eko is also conducting research on the cliffs near the river Cikembulan, Pangandaran, West Java. The results showed four layers of sand that could be called early evidence that the area had a couple of times hit by the tsunami. One layer of thick sand layers deposited on top of the mangrove mud. In that layer there Foraminifera shells.

The findings revealed that about 400 years ago, the region's ever happened to the tsunami. "The scale is much bigger than the tsunami in 2006," said an expert Eko paleotsunami.

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