The Night When the Sunda Strait Sends Waves

GARISBUMI.com – No strong earthquake was felt. It didn't take long to understand what was going on. On the night of December 22 2018, sea water suddenly entered residential areas and tourist areas on the coast of Banten and Lampung.

Saturday night was supposed to be the start of the year-end holidays.

The tourist area along the Pandeglang coast is busy. Hotels and inns accept guests. Residents carry out activities as usual. Across the sea, Anak Krakatoa is still erupting.

This mountain activity is not a new sight. Since June 2018, the eruption has occurred repeatedly. The status is still Level II or Alert.

However, at 20.56 WIB, something different happened.

The eruption triggered an avalanche on the slopes of Anak Krakatau. About 64 hectares of the body of the mountain collapsed into the sea. The sudden influx of large amounts of material pushed the water and formed waves towards the coast on both sides of the Sunda Strait.

Seven minutes later, at 21.03 WIB, the BMKG seismograph sensor in Cigeulis, Pandeglang, recorded a vibration. The signal was not like a tectonic earthquake so the automatic system did not recognize it as a tsunami-triggering earthquake.

On the coast, people also did not feel the strong shaking which is usually a sign to immediately move away from the beach.