Report on Training Workshop 0n Awareness and Assessment of Tsunami

Hazards, Banda Aceh, 10 - 20 July 2011 organized by IOC-UNESCO.

Prepared and submitted to UNESCO by

Din Muhammad Kakar, Assistant Professor

Department of Geology, University of Balochistan, Sariab Road Quetta

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Contents Page No

Acknowledgements: ------------------------------------------------------ 3

List of Trainers: ------------------------------------------------------------ 4

List of Pakistani Participants: ------------------------------------------- 4

Introduction: --------------------------------------------------------------- 5 Visit to Tsunami Museum: ----------------------------------------------- 6

Tsunami Deposits Hunt: ------------------------------------------------- 7

Taking core samples and Cross section sampling-------------------- 10

Eyewitness interview: ------------------------------------------------------ 11 Reconstruction and Evacuvation----------------------------------------- 12

Meeting of Pakistani Participants: -------------------------------------- 14

Future plans: Activities to be carried out by the participants: ---- 14

Action to be taken: -------------------------------------------------------- 16

Issues and Problems: ------------------------------------------------------- 17

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank IOC and UNESCO (UNESCAP) for funding and

organizing this training workshop. We extend our deepest thanks to UNESCO Jakarta

and TDMRC (Tsunami Disaster and Mitigation Research Centre) for hosting the

workshop. Special thanks to Dr. Jane Cunneen of UNESCO for organizing the successful

event, taking care of tickets, communicating all relevant information in time. We would

like to thank Ms Betti Indira , of UNESCO Jakarta for managing tickets for all of us only

one day before our departure to Jakarta. She really has the skills to work hard in very

short span of time. All personals of TDRC specially Dr. Ir M Dirhamsyah and Dr

Mukhlis and others which could not be named here provided all possible facilities during

our stay at Bande Ache and Jakarta. We all also thanks to Ms. Edle Tenden, Programm

officer UN(ESCAP) Thailand for fruit full discussions during the fieldwork and her hard

labor work digging pits for all of us. Although she was a social scientist but she used to

work as Natural scientist.

We highly appreciate the trainers, namely Dr. Brian Atwater (United States

Geology Survey), Dr.Marco Cisternas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso,

Chile, Dr.Kruawun Jankaew, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, Dr. Srinivasalu,

Anna University,Chennai, India and the host Dr.Eko Yulianto, Indonesian Institute

of Sciences (LIPI). We thank these entire noble scientists for their commitment and

professional approach and communicating and imparting knowledge in a friendly

environment. Useful discussion and their encouragement gave us good opportunity to

learn new techniques.

At the end we also must express gratitude for the dinner arranged by the respected

Vice Mayer of Bande Aceh Madam Iliza S. Jamal. Meeting with Iliza S. Jamal was very

much inspiring and encouraging.

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List of Trainers:

1. Dr. Brian Atwater (United States Geology Survey),

2. Dr.Marco Cisternas, (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Chile),

3. Dr.Kruawun Jankaew, (Chulalongkorn University, Thailand,)

4. Dr. Srinivasalu, Anna (University,Chennai, India)

5. Dr.Eko Yulianto, (Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI).

List of Participants

1. Mr Ameer Hyder, Geophysicist, Pakistan Meteorological Department Karachi

2. Miss Yasmin Raza , Geologist, at Geological Suervey of Pakistan, Karachi.

3. Mr. Muhammad Danish, National Institute of Oceanography Karachi

4. Mr. Naimatullah Sohoo, National Institute of Oceanography , Karachi

5. Mr Shahid Sheikh, Lecturer, Jamshoro, University, Sindh.

6. Miss Quratulain Shaikh Geologist Ex-Field Assistant, GSP Karachi.

7. Mr. Simon Sadiq Assistant Director Geological Survey of Pakistan Islamabad

8. Dr Haider Hassan, Assistant Professor, NED University Karachi.

9. Mr. Attaullah Mengal, Deputy Director PDMA Balochistan.

10. Prof. Din Muhammad Kakar, Department of Geology, University of

Balochistan

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Introduction: The ten days training workshop in Bande Aceh was very productive and informative for

the Pakistani participants. For the first time, we all worked in a Tsunami hit area, where

every effect of 2004 Tsunami was evident from the surface, looking out the ruins of the

old buildings, dry up and destructive trees, the sea level rise in the coastal regions.

Geologically in the subsurface, the 2004 Tsunami deposits was vey much clear and

convincing having variation in thicknesses following the geographical extent and local

topography. In some places we could not be able to find tsunami deposits due to

biological disturbances. In some field forms we also observed that Tsunami deposits were

intermixed by plough in the field and cannot be differentiated their layer.

Interview the eye witness give us in depth analysis of the Tsunami waves, its

height reaching up to the top of the coconut trees, which account for up to nine meters.

The survivors account also indicated the time difference between the earthquake and

arrival of the 1st wave of the tsunami, which was not less than 30 minutes, which could be

enough to evacuate the population, but due to non- existence of the awareness of tsunami

among the population and the country was did not equipped with early warning system,

the colossal damage was much higher in the region, which is the main dilemma of the

third world countries.

The five trainers were having amazing commitment of working in the field. In the

field for the first time we saw the scientists were working labor work, by digging pits

themselves in extreme hot and in rainy spells. Brian, Marco, Shirini, Wow and the host

Eko were looking busy by working hard work. We Pakistani were initially in denial state

to accept such labor work, but when we asked, why we should not hiring the services of

labor for digging, they replied that you have to dig it, as very much information you will

miss, if this is worked by other persons, so keep having the ownership of the pit not to

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miss a single information when digging. The logic was very much convincing. They told

us very clearly how to recognize and differentiate Tsunami deposits from other layers.

I summarized the activities carried out during the ten days workshop:

Visit to Tsunami Museum:

We were taken to Tsunami Museum of the Bande Aceh. It was the building to

keep reminds the tsunami of 2004 to the world in General and to the Indonesian

generations in particular. The entrance of the build having a tunnel, with darkness, giving

us very sad outlook showing a water flow on a nine meter high wall, an indicative of nine

meter Tsunami wave of 2004. The water flowing sound gives an excellent sense of

Tsunami wave.

Figure 1.Tsunami Museum, showing a nine meter high wall with over flows of water, an indicative of Tsunami waves.

Then this dark tunnel open into a circular shaped Minaret, giving us feeling of heartache

when we saw the name of 10,000 innocent victims of 2004 Tsunami, which they called

the mass grave. We asked about the others victims names, they told us the space still not

enough to put all 167000 names of Bande Aceh Tsunami Victims.

Then we were taken to a hall having much darkness. The hall were having square block

of about three feet height from the ground and a screen on top of these with lighting

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having frame images. The shocking images of the 2004 Tsunami were preserved in these

blocks. Afterwards we went to Exhibition Hall where portraits and models of devastated

city of Bande Ache were displayed.. The models showing situation before and after the

Tsunami. Those portraits and poster were very much striking.

Figure 2: Tsunami Minaret,(mass Grave) Internal side, having 10,000 Tsunami victim names, while in 2nd picture minaret out side view, photo taken from the top of the Tsunami building.

To sum up, this Tsunami Museum is very much important to keep remember the innocent

victims of 2004 Tsunami and the world can see and learn lessons from the devastation of

the Bande Aceh. The coming generation can only be teach to keep preserve these

important events of Tsunami and its destruction in this Museum.

Tsunami Deposits Hunt:

We spent most of the days in the field. The major part of our training was to hunt

Tsunami deposits in different parts of the Bande Aceh, where the Tsunami wave’s

inundation took place. Several pits were dugout in different parts of the Bande Aceh. We

all Pakistanis were experiencing these on hand training by digging pits for the first time

and studying the different depositional layers. On 13th July 2011, the trainers divided us

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in three groups, each group was assigned a place to dig their own pit under the

supervision of trainers and each group need to explain it to other groups. This was good

opportunity given us to practically experience the digging process and the same technique

were to be used in Makran. However, in Makran we don’t expect same and such deposits

as we saw here. The Makran area is arid region and precipitation and vegetation is very

much less than this tropical and humus environment.

Three groups were formed and diggings were started in Lampulo area, selecting

three different areas, in low land, high land to see depositional variation of different

layers.

2004 Tsunami Layer

As clearly evident from the photos No: 3 &4, the top layer is the sediments deposited by

2004 tsunami. The sand layer is overlying on the previous humus soil having very sharp

contact with. The thickness of tsunami layer varies from 5cm to 18cm in different pits

within the 100 meter distance. The sediments shows clear grading, a trend of fining

upward. The lower portion of the sand also contains some fossils shells and occasionally

pebbles and concretions. The 2nd layer in fig 3&4 is of the humus layer, the vegetative

ground present before the 2004 Tsunami. It is organic matter (black layer) is converted

by the process of decay and turned black its vegetations into black organic matter.

Then we encountered a layer of yellowish ash material, probably belong to 1839

volcanic activity took place in the region. This layer in places shows regular pattern of

bedding, while in some place these turned into lenticular bodies, pinch out showing that

at higher places they may be disturbed by the biogenetic activity and at higher place they

may be also eroded due to wind action and could not be preserved.

This volcanic ash is overlying on humus soil which was the original surface at the time of

volcanism. After volcanic ash layer once again we have an other organic matter (Humus

Layer) which once again the original ground before the volcanic activity (Fig4).

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≈10cm 2004 Tsunami Deposits

Ground before2004 Tsunami Deposits/Humus layer

Up to 5cm volcanic ash deposits, believed to be deposited in 1839, volcanic eruption in this region

≈6cm another sand layer, a candidate for another Tsunami

Another humus sand layer,

≈10cm 2004 Tsunami Deposits

Ground before2004 Tsunami Deposits/Humus layer

Lenticular volcanic ash deposits, May be destroyed by animal or other agriculture/erosion activity

Figure 3 &4. Pits showinlayers Lampuk, Bande

Ground Surface

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gs 2004 tsunami deposits along with other depositionaAceh Indonesia.(13th July, 2011).

15cm Another Humus layer, before the deposition of volcanic ash

Ground Surface

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Fig 5 & 6: Dr. Brian, dewatering pit. In 2nd photo Marco taking core sampling. When the water comes into pit then we have the choice to run rotating hollow bit into ground to take core samples at different depths. Core sampling is also say lot about the subsurface, if properly place and arrange these samples on ground surface. Taking Core samples/ Cross sectional samples We can also use the technique to take core samples by driving a hollow bit machine

operated manually. If the water don’t allow you to work in pit, then you have the choice

to take core samples. During the course of training we also able to get cross cut samples

of different layer. One such cross section of layers encounter in Lampolu samples which

we named Tsunami Mummy (shown in Photo No:7)

Fig:7. The cross sectional sample of a pit showing all layers from top to bottom as shown in fig No.3.

This Tsunami Mummy were brought to the regional workshop in Jakarta.

Eyewitness interview Number of male and female of 2004 tsunami, eyewitness account, were taken. This was

also unique experience when in depth information was taken. The reported height from

II≈10 of Tsunami surge were testified and verified by eyewitness.

1. Mr. Marzaki the Eye witness of 2004 Tsunami

Mr Marzaki (Fig:8) told us that there was a big earthquake on 26 December, at 8.00am.

The trembling was so horrifying and long which he never experienced before. He saw a

wall of water 30 minutes after the earthquake at 8:30am. His mother escape on Motor

bike, he lost his father. He was caught in the wave and taking him 2-3 km from his house

and at the end he took grip of the coconut tree branch and stayed there for two hours. He

could saw lot of people on the top of coconut tree (Life saving trees). When he was asked

what to do if there is an earthquake, he really doesn’t know what to do. Three points can

be established from the account of Mr Marziki.

1). The time between the earthquake and Tsunami arrival is 30 minutes, which is a

enough time for a population to evacuate or take refuge in a safe place before the tsunami

hit. 2) The Tsunami waves height can be clearly establish as the height of coconut trees

are not less than I 7-9 meter. 3). It is surprising that still he don’t know what to do in the

case of earthquake and Tsunami.

Madam Murul of Klaing (Coordinates: 0764937 and 0619298):

After passing seven years of Tsunami, the eye witnesses seems still in trauma, specially

40 years old Madam Murul of Klaing,(Fig:9). when she was explaining the tsunami, she

could not control here feelings and tears in her eyes were visible. She told us that she saw

many dead bodies were floating in water. At the time of Tsunami surge, we did not know

what to do and where to go. Then she escaped in car, when the first low wave came and

during the drive, the car splash water in the way. She told us that after the earthquake, 30

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minutes later the 1st Tsunami waves come, followed by big one. When she was ask that

did she believe that an other Tsunami can come? she told that God knows.

Fig:8 &9.The participants are taking eye witness account with help of the interpreter.Mr Mazaki (in Center still wrap his hand on coconut tree wood).in 2nd picture Madam Marul expressing here views about the Tsunami. In background her mud made bricks are visible. Taking interview is a very careful task, keeping in mind not to hurt the feelings of the interviewee.

Reconstruction and Evacuation Centers:

The world as whole more responsive to post disaster e.g. relief recovery, reconstruction

and less responsive to invest in disaster reduction e.g. preparedness, prevention, and

mitigation. After the 2004 Tsunami International community invest little bit more than

earlier, in Preparedness and mitigation. As Band Aceh was devastated and new Bande

Aceh city has been established on the ruins of old. Different donor agencies wisely

selected the sites for reconstruction near the hills which will be easy to evacuate at the

time of Tsunami (10 a). We also visited TDRC building which is also declared as

evacuation center (Fig:10.b). Only three such building exists in Bande Aceh and each

building have the capacity of 600 to accommodate. More building needed to be built

along the coast.

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Fig:11. Newly constructed houses afterb2004 tsunami. It is learnt that the site selection is wisely, in near to the hill, where the people can escape to hill at the event of Tsunami.

Fig:10: TDRC building will also perform as evacuation center at the time of Tsunami. Till date only three building has been constructed near the coast. Each building may capacity to accommodate 600 people

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Meeting of Pakistani Participants to develop future Strategy:

We all Pakistani have given time and space to meet and develop a future strategy

and chalk out a program to work on Makran Tsunami. Two meetings were convened in

the Hotel. Then we shared the points raised in the meeting with Trainers and thoroughly

discussed again. The trainers also give us input about the future strategy. Each and every

participant take the responsibility to carry out the following activities to make the Aceh

workshop beneficial and replicate same activities as done and learn in Aceh workshop. In

addition to these activities. Additional work is also realized to be done in the Makran

region:

Pakistani sharing their plans with trainers in TDRC building. Flip charts prepared earlier in a brain storming session in Hotel. Future plans: Activities to be carried out by the participants

1. Development of Educational Material: Development of Educational Material in

local languages for the awareness of the people of Makran and costal region of

Pakistan. The book “Where the First Wave Arrives in Minutes” Indonesian

Lessons on Surviving Tsunamis near Their Sources” will be translated in local/

regional languages. As the literacy rate especially in women in Makran region is

less than I 6%, so, some pictorial material will be developed for the awareness of

this majority of the population.

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2. Awareness workshop in Coastal region: Awareness workshop in Coastal

region will be carried out with cooperation of the government concerned

departments, specially with Provincial Disaster Management Authority(PDMA).

It is also the mandate of PDMA to raise awareness about the disaster in coastal

region.

3. Paleo-Tsunami deposits studies: Paleo-Tsunami deposits studies along the

Pakistan Coast will be carried out to hunt 1945 Tsunami and other events if the

any occurred in the history of the Makran active subduction zone. Some other

prominent scientist will also be contacted at national and International level to

help out in these studies.

4. Laboratory analysis of the Tsunami sediments: Laboratory analysis of the

Tsunami sediments will be conducted in facilities available at Pakistani

Universities, however, regarding aging of the tsunami sediments and other

techniques will be sort from abroad including the regional countries, like Oman,

India and Iran.

5. Hunt for Archeological / historical documents: As the Makran was part of

Oman in 1945, so the historical documents have may recorded the accounts of

1945 Tsunami will be hunted in Oman and Iran. At governmental level these

countries will be approach to help out about these archeological documents.

6. Interviews of the survivors or next generation to survivors: The important part of

the Tsunami studies is taking the survivors account. Since 1945, 66 years passed

and we still may number of survivors still alive at the age of 74/78, specially the

women of the coastal region have higher age limit. So these survivors will be

contacted immediately before they expire. Their account will help us in our

tsunami studies.

7. Tectonic studies through GPS: As we have already started tectonic studies

(Geodetic Studies) in the region through GPS (Global Positioning System). The

GPS studies are designed to determine tectonic strain rates in the region, and

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subsequently to estimate future seismic hazards. At its simplest the geodetic

strain rate is a measure of seismic productivity.

8. Inundation Modules will be developed: Inundation Modules will be developed

about the coastal region of Pakistan as some of the participants were interested in

such studies. The Modules developed in Iran and Oman will also be considered in

these studies.

9. Application of Geophysical instruments to study subsurface layers: Some of

the Geophysical instruments are available in Pakistani Universities and applicable

for the studies subsurface layers.

10. Logistic support will be sort from the PDAMA: As one of the participants was

from PDMA, and he agreed to provide logistic support during the preliminary

studies in the coastal region of Makran. He will also play a role of coordinator

between the PDMA and the researchers.

11. Historical tidal data: Historical tidal data will be collected from various

concerned departments including Metrological Department and Institute of

Oceanography.

12. Coastal region students/ stockholders: will be kept involved throughout

the length of our work in this region. Local capacity will be developed through

the interaction with the stake holders.

Action to be taken:

1. Developments of Project Proposal: initially a project will be developed for the

above mentioned studies. Dr. Haider Hasan and Professor Din Muhammad Kakar

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took the responsibility to prepare a project proposal and afterwards input will be

asked from all participates of the workshop and will also ask the input of the

trainers.

2. Submission of Proposal to UNESCAP: After a long debate and discussion it

was unanimously decided to submit project proposal to the UNESCAP. We

decided to work under the umbrella of the UNESCAP; however NDMA (National

Disaster Management) authority will be taking in consideration.

3. Development of Coordination with regional countries: It was also discussed

and the input coming from the trainers were also incorporated that regional

countries including Iran, Oman and India will be contacted to accomplish a

regional association as these countries also have the same threat pose by the

Markran Subduction Zone and also cyclones that may hit these countries in the

future.

The expertise of the International Experts: The expertise of the International Experts

including Dr. Brian F. Atwater, Dr. Marco Cisternas, Dr Kruawun Jankaew, Dr. Eko

Yulianto will be sought by Inviting them to Pakistan as project proposal get approved.

Issues and Problems:

a) Security situation in the region:

We also discussed the regional and local issue and hurdles exist in the coastal

region. Prime most was the security situation Balochistan Makran region. Currently the

security situation in Makran is not permissible to work. However, if we kept involve the

local administration, PDMA and DDMAs(District Disaster Management Authrities) and

the stake holder( local Population) of the coastal region, this hurdle will be over come.

The students of the coastal region will be a good source to giving them/involving them in

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these studies, which will create a sense of ownership. We have good relationship with

students of Makran region.

b) Seasonal Harshness:

As in summer, the Makran have extreme high temperature and is not feasible for work,

however, work can be carried out only from November to February as temperature drop

to working conditions.