Tangerang, August 12, 2025 – The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics School (STMKG) in collaboration with Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK), Banda Aceh, successfully organized a high-level guest lecture titled “Modeling and Risk Analysis of Tsunamis: Multi-Source Approaches and Impacts on Coastal Areas.” The event brought together experts, educators, and young cadets to deepen understanding of tsunami hazards and strengthen disaster preparedness efforts in Indonesia.
The lecture was held at the Dr. Suko Prayitno Adi Lecture Hall, 8th Floor of the STMKG Building, Tangerang, and was attended by hundreds of STMKG cadets, lecturers, and staff. The session began with welcoming remarks from STMKG Chair, Dr. Deni Septiadi, M.Si., who emphasized the importance of academic collaborations to tackle complex natural disaster risks, and Dr. Ing. Benyamin Heryanto Rusanto, M.Si., Head of STMKG’s Research and Community Service Unit, who highlighted the role of STMKG as a hub for disaster science and applied research in Indonesia.
The session featured distinguished guest speakers from Universitas Syiah Kuala: Prof. Syamsidik, Dr. Haekal A. Haridhi, and Dr. Tursina, with Dr. Dimas Salomo J. Sianipar, Ph.D. of STMKG serving as moderator.
Prof. Syamsidik
In his keynote presentation, Prof. Syamsidik explained that Indonesia, as one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, faces tsunami threats from multiple sources—not only earthquakes, but also submarine landslides, volcanic eruptions, and other geophysical processes. “By developing multi-source tsunami models, researchers and policymakers can anticipate a broader range of scenarios. This allows mitigation measures to be better designed, more inclusive, and more responsive to real-world risks,” he remarked.
Dr. Haekal A. Haridhi and Dr. Tursina elaborated on the use of numerical modeling, field-based analysis, and scenario building as crucial tools in modern tsunami studies. They also stressed the role of technology, including AI and GIS-based systems, in translating scientific models into practical disaster risk management strategies.
Dr. Haekal Haridhi
The three-hour lecture was not only a series of presentations but also a dynamic platform for dialogue. Participants actively engaged in the Q&A session, raising questions about the technical complexities of tsunami numerical modeling, challenges in communicating risk to communities, and how academic research can be effectively integrated into policy and early warning systems.
Dr. Tursina
Also in attendance were Dr. Iman Suardi, M.Sc. (Head of STMKG’s Geophysics Study Program), Dr. Muzli, Ayu Adi Justicea, M.Sc., Indah Fajerianti, S.Tr., and other STMKG faculty members, underlining the institution’s collective commitment to disaster education and risk reduction.
This guest lecture is part of the ongoing applied research project SIMuSTi 1.0: Multi-Source Non-Seismic Tsunami Evaluation System, a collaborative initiative between USK and STMKG. The project seeks to build an integrated digital platform for tsunami risk evaluation, focusing particularly on non-seismic triggers that have historically been underrepresented in tsunami studies.
The SIMuSTi project aims to combine academic research, data modeling, and disaster simulation into one system that can inform not only scientific communities but also government agencies and local communities living in coastal regions. With Indonesia’s vulnerability to tsunamis, such innovations are expected to contribute directly to disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies, policy development, and regional preparedness programs.
Through events like this guest lecture, STMKG and USK reaffirm their role as leading academic institutions in advancing disaster science in Indonesia. The collaboration also represents a model for national and international partnerships that bridge research, education, and practice.
“Our collaboration with USK reflects our shared mission: to transform scientific knowledge into tangible solutions that can save lives,” said Dr. Deni Septiadi, M.Si., Chairman of STMKG. “By preparing our cadets and empowering our researchers with advanced models and approaches, we are investing in a safer future for coastal communities in Indonesia and beyond.”
The success of this lecture marks another milestone in the long-term partnership between STMKG and USK, and sets the stage for future initiatives in joint workshops, field studies, and the development of disaster simulation laboratories.
