COASTAL SEDIMENTATION ASSOCIATED WITH THE DECEMBER 12TH, 1992 TSUNAMIIN FLORES, INDONESIA

This paper presents the result of a detailed granulometric investigati on of sediments deposited by a modern tsunami, the 1992 tsunami in Flo res, Indonesia. Eyewitness accounts indicate that sediments were depos ited upon coastal lowlands over wide areas as a result of the tsunami inundation. Distinctive vertical and lateral variations in particle si ze composition are characteristic features of the tsunami deposits and these are intimately related to sedimentary processes associated with flood inundation. The geomorphological and sedimentary evidence is us ed here to establish a preliminary model of tsunami sedimentation. Thi s information is believed to be of great value in understanding sedime ntary processes associated with tsunami flooding and in the interpreta tion of palaeo-tsunami deposits.