Liquefaction Study in Acheh Besar and Banda Aceh, Indonesia

On 29^th April to 5^th May 2019, Geophysics research group from USM took geophysical imaging onto international level with primary aim is to detect potential liquefaction risks in Acheh Besar and Banda Acheh, Indonesia. Liquefaction is a disastrous natural phenomenon, highly affiliated to the region due to its close proximity to active tectonic plate. Associate Professor Dr. Rosli Saad as a project leader together with Universitas Syiah Kuala (UNSYIAH), this project was tackled in collaboration with UNSYIAH’s academic staffs and six USM postgraduate students. P- and S-wave seismic refraction methods were employed on this second-timed visit in conjunction with self-potential technique. These geophysical data were later combined with previous acquired resistivity imaging data in the area. 

Undoubtedly, this pivotal research will greatly boost the region’s preparations towards coming earthquakes, especially on the development of the region’s building structures. Better planning on the public safety could be devised in order to minimized potential casualties. With this in mind, one of the project’s goals is to use the geophysical methods to create images of the Earth, primarily delineating non-cohesive soil which is the main contributor to liquefaction. The 7-days  visit concentrated on acquiring, analyzing and interpreting the geophysical data.

Furthermore, a meeting between our project leader and Dr. Taufiq Saidi (Dean of Faculty of Engineering, UNSYIAH), Dr. Mohamad Syukri and Mr. Zulfadhli (USM Alumni & UNSYIAH Lecturers) was held to discuss about future endeavours of this project. Among the outcomes of the meeting is the agreement on inter-universities collaboration in organizing Annual Geophysical Field Camp 2019 which presents an excellent opportunity to geophysics undergraduate students to participate in this project.

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