Geological Disaster Hazard Mapping Based on Geoheritage: A Case Study of the Batur UNESCO Global Geopark

Abstract

Batur UNESCO Global Geopark, as the first UNESCO geopark in Indonesia, has been established for 12 years. However, throughout its journey, the area still faces various challenges, particularly in disaster risk reduction efforts. As a geopark focused on active volcanoes, Batur UGGp is not only confronted with the potential hazards of geological disasters such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and landslides but also with the risk of degradation of geoheritage due to these disasters. Nonetheless, the area also holds significant potential as a promising tourist destination in Indonesia. To strengthen disaster risk reduction efforts in the geopark area, in-depth research on geoheritage and its relationship with geological disaster hazards is essential. This study employs a descriptive qualitative method, applying geoheritage assessments from the Geological Agency and creating hazard maps for geosites in Batur UGGp using QuantumGIS. The analysis of 21 geosites in Batur UGGp reveals that volcanic eruptions are the dominant disaster threat, with 15 geosites located in high-risk zone I, while the remaining are in risk zones II and III. Additionally, earthquakes also pose a potential threat to each geosite, although with relatively low frequency. The third threat is landslides, with at least 7 geosites identified as having potential landslide risks, with 44 recorded incidents between 2018 and 2023. From the geoheritage assessments conducted, indicators of scientific value and degradation of geoheritage can be used to obtain information about past disaster events as well as potential future disasters. This research also demonstrates that geoheritage can serve as an indicator or medium for understanding geological disasters.