A comprehensive report on the 28th September 2018 Indonesian Tsunami along with its causes

Abstract

Tsunami is one of the deadliest natural disasters that mankind has ever experienced. Over the centuries, tsunami is known to have caused massive destruction owing to widespread loss and damage to property and human life. This report deals with the tsunami of 28th September 2018, which hit the Island nation of Indonesia, especially the Central Sulawesi Island. Indonesia's geographical location along the pacific ring of fire makes the nation exceptionally prone to strong tsunami. The tsunami under consideration in this study was triggered by a strong earthquake of magnitude (Mw) 7.5 scale. Usually, a strike-slip earthquake never leads to tsunami, but this tsunami was quite unexpected as the fault mechanism involved was strike-slip (strike slip along the Palu-Koro fault). The local geology, geography and tectonic configuration are crucial parameters in determining the tsunami hazard in an area. This report tries to examine the causative factors and mechanism behind the occurrence of tsunami. Secondary factors like funnelling and bay effect, submarine landslips, liquefaction and landslides which could have amplified the effects of the tsunami are also presented. The study provides a conclusive account of the related foreshocks and aftershocks associated to the event. A study of the losses incurred, causalities and other losses has also been attempted by comparing a timeline of satellite imageries. A statistical study was made from the datasets obtained from various catalogues from 1500 till date and the salient results are highlighted.