The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has successfully developed an innovative method to study the traces of the 2004 Aceh tsunami. Through the application of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology, experts are now able to analyze soil sediment layers with a level of precision far higher than conventional geochemical methods.
Junior Researcher at BRIN's Photonics Research Center, Rara Mitaphonna, explained that the study, which involved Syiah Kuala University, was conducted in Pulot Village, Aceh Besar Regency. The area was chosen because it preserves a record of sediment materials carried by the giant waves two decades ago, such as marine sand, shells of organisms, and minerals typical of aquatic environments.
LIBS technology works by firing high-energy laser pulses at soil samples, which then creates plasma to analyze its light spectrum. This process allows scientists to identify specific chemical elements—such as sodium, calcium, and strontium—which act as a 'fingerprint' of marine materials in soil deposits, while distinguishing them from native soil layers dominated by iron and aluminum.
The findings, published in the Microchemical Journal, represent a step forward in reconstructing disaster history. The data on tsunami deposit characteristics obtained will be integrated into the national hazard map to support safer spatial planning for coastal communities.
Furthermore, Rara hopes that this technology can be developed into portable devices in the future. With more compact tools, field surveys for mapping disaster traces in various corners of Indonesia can be conducted more efficiently, while also strengthening preparedness against megathrust threats and potential future tsunamis.
