The Meteotsunami Phenomenon

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Sumber Jaya village, Sumur district, Pandeglang, Banten, is still in disarray when monitored by helicopter with the head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, Willem Rampangilei, on Wednesday (26/12/2018), after being hit by a tsunami on Saturday (22/12/2018) . This residential area on the shoreline needs to be relocated to a safer place because of the high threat of the tsunami.

The Sunda Strait tsunami on Dec. 22, 2018 shocked many. The tsunami, which was initially thought to be just a high wave, struck without warning. No earthquake preceded it, nor were there any significant changes in Mt. Anak Krakatau’s volcanic activities. The seawater hit shore suddenly. Hundreds of people were killed or injured as the tsunami hit tourist beaches in the provinces of Banten and Lampung.

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) alleged that the tsunami was linked to Mt. Anak Krakatau’s activities and the full moon. Even though the mountain has shown increased volcanic activity, most of the material has fallen down its slopes, with only a little falling into the surrounding seas.