Review of Indonesian coastal features has indicated the variety of forms that exist within Indonesian islands, the bestdocumented sectors being the north-eastern and northwestern (Aceh) coasts of Sumatra and the north coast of Java, both of which show evidence of substantial changes within historical times.

Article Writers :
Hananto Kurnio and Kumala Hardjawidjaksana
Marine Geological Institute of Indonesia

ABSTRACT

Review of Indonesian coastal features has indicated the variety of forms that exist within Indonesian islands, the bestdocumented sectors being the north-eastern and northwestern (Aceh) coasts of Sumatra and the north coast of Java, both of which show evidence of substantial changes within historical times.
In Java Island, as the most populated island, significant coastline changes are induced by dam constructions in the hinterland that reduced sediment flow which further caused erosion in the delta area such as occurred in Citarum river mouth west Java and forest clearance and the introduction of grazing and cultivation such as occurred in Cimanuk River west java and in Bengawan Solo River east Java producing excessive amount of sediment supply to the coast lead to rapid coastal advance. South coast of Java coastal changes raised by human activities are not significant due to steep and high resistance rocks on the coast. Other less populated islands such as Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua; coastal changes brought about by human activities in the hinterland are not significant.
Coastal changes were also induced by catastrophic events such as Krakatau 1883’s eruption that caused significant coastline changes surround the volcano in SundaStrait. Another catastrophic event was Aceh 2004’s earthquake followed by tsunami that cause land subsidence and inundation of northwest AcehProvince.