Tsunami Disaster Mitigation Analysis on the Shore of Java Island using CADMAS/Surf Numerical Simulations

Fadly Usman, Keisuke Murakami, Septiana Hariyani, Eddi Basuki Kurniawan and Fadhilatus Shoimah

Page No. 1-5

The southern shore of the Java Sea is a coastal area that is directly opposite to the world's primary fault, namely the Indo-Australian plate and Eurasian plate. This fault has often impacted plate shifts and earthquakes in shallow seas. Past earthquakes in the coastal areas of the South Sea shows a reasonably high intensity affecting the tsunami risk level of the cities on the southern shore of Java Island when an earthquake hits in the southern Java Sea.

In this study, several technical approaches were taken to analyze the research area’s ability to mitigate the threat of tsunami disasters, namely numerical analysis using CADMAS Surf 2D and spatial analysis using ArcGIS. Numerical simulation results show that the wave height can reach 4 meters on the shoreline and drops dramatically to around 0.5 meters after friction occurs due to ground surface resistance and after it passes through the topography on the shore. Similarly, the wave velocity will drop significantly after passing through natural barriers such as topography and vegetation.

Full Text

Decadal trend analysis of rainfall over Uttar Pradesh (India)

Yadav S., Sachan A.K. and Basu D.

Page No. 6-10

The present study is mainly focused on changing trend of rainfall over the region of Uttar Pradesh. The precipitation is one of the most important climatic variable and efforts are being made to analyse the rainfall trend in the area under study. Mann-Kendall (MK) Test has been used to determine the seasonal and annual rainfall variability for the period of 60 years i.e. from 1954 to 2013.

The Sen’s Slope Estimator was used to determine slope magnitude. Precipitation trend was identified considering 60 years of data. It was noticed that after decade third (1972-1983), rainfall trend was decreasing. It was also observed that rate of precipitation was rising in some season/months and decreasing trend in some other season/months. The statistical tests were observed to show overall significant change in decade 2004-2013 (MAM), 1974-1983 (MAM), 1964-1973 (J-F), 1954-1963 (August) in the study area.

Full Text

Seismic safety assessment of masonry buildings through rapid visual screening–Case studies

Dar A.R.

Page No. 11-18

Under the influence of earthquake loading, masonry structures suffer heavy losses when compared with reinforced concrete and steel structures. Masonry buildings still occupy a large part of the Indian infrastructure. The lessons learnt from the past earthquakes led to the up-gradation of seismic codes for better infrastructural performance. The present study focuses on the structural assessment of seismic guidelines with respect to masonry buildings.

Accordingly, this study presents the seismic safety evaluation of six public masonry buildings located in India’s seismically severe most zone (zone V) using rapid visual screening (RVS). Two types of RVS methods were used for the evaluation. Based on the RVS assessment, it was found that most of the masonry buildings constructed are non-engineered and unsafe. RVS score of these buildings indicated that poor quality of construction still prevails despite the availability of numerous detailed guidelines on seismic resistant masonry construction, hence further detailed structural evaluation followed by necessary retrofitting measures (if required) is recommended for improved seismic safety.

Full Text

Impact of Coastal Erosion on Local Community: Lifestyle and Identity

Padli Jaharudin, Kamarul M.D., Talib Jasmi Abu, Musa Haslina and Pravinassh R.

Page No. 19-27

Coastal erosion phenomenal in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia is getting worse for the past few years. This situation is likely to change not only the geographical of the area but also affects the local community’s lifestyle and their identity. The purpose of this study is to create the population profile of the coastal erosion on the local community mainly on their identity and way of life. A survey was conducted on 400 households by using questionnaires and face to face interviews along the beach area from Tok Jembal to Batu Rakit which is around 3 km.

The selected population also includes those people who have been and are currently experiencing this coastal erosion problem. This profiling data is also important because this selected population is the real population that fulfilled the criteria for studies related to coastal erosion, the community lifestyle and identity and especially related to psychological, emotional and social factors. In addition, the findings on the resilience and coping strategy of coastal erosion phenomena also indirectly illustrate the community lifestyle and their identity.

Full Text

Assessment of Shoreline Changes between Cuddalore and Nagapattinam Coast, East Coast of Tamilnadu, India using Geospatial Techniques

Thangaraj Kongeswaran and Ramasamy Karikalan

Page No. 28-36

Coastal attrition is one of the most important problems in world seashore. Its impact has adversely affected the livelihood of the coastal community. The coastal zone of India is experiencing a wide range of natural and anthropogenic pressure. This study carried out the shoreline changes between Cuddalore and Nagapattinam, East coast of Tamilnadu, India using satellite images from 1980 to 2015. The long-standing coastal erosion and accretion rates have been calculated using the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS). Linear regression rate (LRR) statistical method is applied to estimate the shoreline change rate.

The results of the analysis show that erosion is dominant in Devanampattinam to Cuddalore old town, Sothikuppam to Rajapettai, Chitrapettai to Nanjalingampettai, Kodiampalayam north side, Coleroon river mouth to Tandavankulam, Poompuhar to Kaveripattinam and Santirappadi. High Accretional places in the study area such as Nagore to Samandampettai, Nambiarkuppam to Nagapattinam south, Mariammankovil pettai, Kuttyandavar, Thirumullaivasal, Chinnavaikkal south, Chinnavaikkal north, Vellar river mouth and Ponnaiyar river mouth. Both natural and anthropogenic processes along the coast control the erosion and accretion activities of the coastal zones. The present study demonstrates that the combined use of satellite imagery and statistical methods can be a reliable method for shoreline change analysis.

Full Text

Use of Geoinformatics and Geophysical Applications in Landslide Studies: An Overview

Thejashree G., Lokesh K.N. and Dwarakish G.S.

Page No. 37-49

Landslide is one of the hazardous geological phenomena which is gaining attention worldwide because of destruction caused by it. Due to the drastic increase in urbanization and human intervention in hilly regions, the destruction caused by mass wasting is increasing day by day. Landslides are far from the control of humans. But the destruction and losses caused by these calamites can be minimized, if their occurrence is known before time. This review paper aims at discussing how remote sensing, GIS and geophysical techniques can be utilized for investigation of landslides and mapping of landslide susceptible areas.

Geophysical techniques can provide important information on physical characteristics linked with landslide mechanism. Complementarily, remote sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) techniques play an important role in the generation of thematic layers related to landslide occurrences which aid to produce susceptible, hazard zonation and landslide inventory maps. Such integrated approach on landslides studies can bring about better understanding and help to take up mitigation measures to reduce the landslide hazards.

Full Text