Will tsunamis continue to strike Indonesia?

A tsunami struck several areas of the Sunda Strait, including beaches in Pandeglang, Serang, and South Lampung on the evening of December 22, killing 222 people and injuring 843, while 28 remain missing. The Anak Krakatau volcano is believed to be the cause of the disaster, as it erupted just 24 minutes before the tsunami struck.

Teeuw argues that Indonesian authorities need to map the seabed topography around the Anak Krakatau volcano to predict landslide risks, but this process would take months to plan and implement.

The tsunami that hit Indonesia on December 22nd was considered relatively small compared to tsunamis caused by underwater earthquakes. "However, it was particularly dangerous because there were almost no warning signs. Such tsunamis also often carry a lot of rocks and debris, increasing the destructive power for coastal towns," Teeuw added.

Simon Boxall, a researcher at the University of Southampton in England, suggests that the severe damage in Indonesia was partly due to the tsunami coinciding with high tide. "It appears to have struck certain coastal areas precisely at the height of the tide, exacerbating the damage. The wave also occurred in the evening, catching many residents by surprise," Boxall noted.

Indonesian authorities had previously warned of the possibility of further tsunamis, advising residents and tourists to stay away from coastal areas facing the Anak Krakatau volcano. They also admitted to being confused about how to issue tsunami warnings, as the disaster was not caused by an earthquake as is typical.

Anak Krakatau (Son of Krakatao) is one of 127 active volcanoes in Indonesia, emerging from the remnants of the Krakatoa volcano and rising above the sea in 1928. The volcano, approximately 305 meters high, is located 80 km off the west coast of Java and began erupting in June.

Vu Anh