Geomorphological impact of Palu earthquake

Abstract

Sulawesi and Maluku islands are tectonically under a collision area of four earth crust plates, those are Eurasia, Philliphines Islands, Pacific Ocean and Australian-India Ocean. Palu city in Central Sulawesi island in particular is geologically an area of complex structure. A fault zone of north-west to south-east direction has formed Palu area as a block being squeezed by Palu-Koro strike-slip fault zone. The aim of this research is to know the impact of earthquake happened on October 28, 2018 has caused the fault to activate of being dynamic movement of the area. Using hand camera photos, a morphological survey and analysis show the landslides and slumps could be clearly identified. Rock and soil slide and movement was also strengthened by liquefaction of hydrological fluid content within the Palu block. Morphology of Palu-Koro fault plane was also affected significantly causing landslides and slumps on the fault plane exposed in the earth surface.