A research team from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has made a breakthrough in disaster geology studies by identifying traces of the 2004 Aceh tsunami using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology. The research, led by Rara Mitaphonna from BRIN's Photonics Research Center, focuses on the analysis of soil deposits in Pulot Village, Aceh Besar, which was recorded as one of the worst-affected areas.
The LIBS method used offers significant advantages compared to conventional geochemical techniques. By firing high-energy laser pulses at soil samples, this technology creates a plasma that emits a unique light representing the chemical elements within. As a result, researchers can detect the presence of typical marine elements such as sodium, strontium, and barium very quickly without having to go through complex laboratory preparation steps.
The contrasting chemical composition between the tsunami layer and the natural soil layer beneath it is the key finding. The pattern of these elements now acts like a fingerprint, providing concrete evidence of the area's disaster history. The scientific findings, published in the Microchemical Journal, are expected to serve as a crucial reference in developing disaster mitigation maps and planning more resilient coastal spatial planning.
Looking ahead, Rara hopes that the development of portable LIBS devices can be realized soon. This step aims to accelerate geochemical surveys in various disaster-prone regions across Indonesia, in order to strengthen the preparedness of both the public and the government in facing potential tsunami threats in the future.
