Banda Aceh, (November 13, 2024) – The Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Research Center (TDMRC) at Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK) recently welcomed a distinguished delegation of international earthquake and tsunami experts. This visit, organized as part of UNESCO-IOC activities, aims to strengthen research and disaster mitigation efforts in tsunami-prone regions, especially in Aceh.
The visiting delegation included several renowned researchers in the field, among them:
- Fabrizio Romano (Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia/INGV, Italy) – specialist in seismic gaps and coseismic processes.
- Stefano Lorito (INGV, Italy) – expert in Probabilistic Tsunami Hazard Analysis (PTHA) and earthquake source modeling.
- Alessandro Amato (INGV, Italy) – expert in Vulcanology.
- Finn Lovholt (Norwegian Geotechnical Institute/NGI, Norway) – developer of the Global Tsunami Model.
- Irina Rafliana (National Research and Innovation Agency/BRIN, Indonesia) – specialist in disaster preparedness.
- Nikos Kalligeris (Institute of Geodynamics, National Observatory of Athens) – expert in Tsunamia and Coastal Engineering
The delegation was warmly received by the Director of TDMRC, Prof. Dr. Syamsidik, ST., M.Sc., along with TDMRC researchers. The visit began with a screening of TDMRC’s profile video, highlighting the center’s achievements in disaster mitigation research at local, national, and international levels. The visiting experts engaged in a lively discussion with former TDMRC Director, Dr. Ir. M. Dirhamsyah, M.T., IPU, who explained TDMRC’s processes and contributions to disaster response and mitigation.
Following the video presentation, the delegation toured TDMRC’s advanced research facilities, including:
- Tsunami Wave Flume: a tsunami wave simulation tool allowing researchers to study wave characteristics and impacts on various structures.
- Shaking Table: an earthquake simulation device enabling research on seismic impacts on buildings.
Visiting Shaking Table Laboratory
- Realtime Earthquake Observatory: a real-time earthquake monitoring facility that supports mitigation efforts by providing live data for researchers and policymakers to make informed emergency decisions.
Visiting Realtime Earthquake Observatory
This visit not only strengthened TDMRC’s collaboration with the global research community but also served as a platform for exchanging cutting-edge knowledge and technology in disaster mitigation. The international researchers expressed admiration for TDMRC’s advancements and plan to explore future collaborative opportunities, particularly in programs related to disaster preparedness and mitigation.
