Tsunami Catalog and Zones in Indonesia.

Abstract

Based on data compiled during the period 1600-1999, 105 tsunami have occurred in Indonesia. Ninety-five events (90%) of them were caused by earthquakes in a shallow region at subduction and plate boundaries, 9(8%) by volcanic eruption, and one (1%) by a landslide. To clarify the regional characteristics of tsunami, we defined 6 zones; West and East Sunda, Banda, Makassar, Molucca and Irian Jaya, and made the histograms of earthquakes and tsunami by region by decade from 1600 to 1999. Seismic activities were found in East Sunda, Banda and Makassar are high and tsunami activities in West Sunda. Banda, and Molucca. An interval of about 100 years was found for high earthquake and tsunami activities in the period 1800-1999 The percentages of earthquakes accompanied by tsunami to all earthquakes in Banda and Molucca exceed 50%. In terms of human loss due to tsunami, West Sunda is the worst zone because of the devastating damage done by the 1883 Karakatau volcanic eruption. The tsunami potentials in Banda and Molucca in terms of both frequency and damage are very high. Tsunami activity in Banda since 1960 has been remarkably high. (author abst.)