Researchers found evidence of 19 enormous ancient underwater landslides beneath Indonesia's waters. The indication came from the analysis of more than 2.25 million years' worth of geological data.
They claim that the underwater landslides resulted in a tsunami at least once every 160,000 years. Scientists warn that Balikpapan and Samarinda would be among the most badly-hit areas due to their location.
The research team, led by Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, said the findings convey that communities on the coast without tsunami warning or alleviation systems could be at risk from tsunamis brought about by similar landslides.
According to Rachel Brackenridge, a researcher in the team, the largest of the landslides comprised 600 kilometers cubed of sediment, while the smallest they identified were five kilometers cubed.
The scientists estimated the remains of the largest landslides established to fill Sydney harbor about 1,000 times over.
She added that the team mapped underneath the seabed using seismic data and found massive bodies of sediment that appear chaotic. It was clear to the scientists that the deposits have spilled down a slope in a quick, turbulent manner.
Uisdean Nicholson, research leader at Heriot-Watt University, said the landslides were the aftermath of a strong current through the strait. He adds that the current acts as a conveyor belt, which transports sediment from the Mahakam Delta and dumping it on the upper continental slope to the south. The result of the dumping makes the seabed steeper, frailer, and more likely to collapse.
He claims that their next step is to measure the risk in this area by building various numerical models of landslide events and tsunami formation. He says it could help them predict the size of the threshold, causing the perilous tsunamis. It could also help them alert any mitigation strategies.
The study was published in the Geological Society London publication. The British Geological Survey and University College London were also associated with the study.
Mount Krakatoa's Eruption and Tsunami
Indonesia's Mount Krakatoa has erupted twice this year in April, sending huge clouds of smoke, lava, and ash into the air. The volcano is known for its wrath as it has brought tremendous calamity to the country years before.
Another major eruption at Krakatoa was on December 22, 2018. The volcanic eruption caused a deadly tsunami that produced monster waves up to five meters in height. The calamity destroyed hundreds of homes and killed more than 400 people. It also left 14,059 people injured and more than 40,000 displaced.
Then again, in 1883, one of the deadliest and most destructive volcanic events in recorded history occurred as Mount Krakatoa forcefully spewed off its lava. Approximately 36,417 deaths are attributed to the eruption and the tsunamis it created. Explosions from the volcano were so violent that they were heard 3,110 kilometers away in Perth, Western Australia.
Tsunamis initiated by volcanic eruptions are less common than tsunamis caused by large earthquakes. Waves may be generated by the sudden displacement of water caused by a volcanic explosion, by a volcano's slope failure, or more likely by an explosion and collapse of the volcanic magmatic chambers.
Researchers believe that their findings are relevant to prevent extensive damage that would be caused by the tsunami they predict would be coming soon.
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