An overview of the KKN program at Universitas Gadjah Mada from an
international perspective and the opportunity for further undergraduate
exchange from San Diego State University
Michael Verrier
Department of Geological Sciences
San Diego State University
Summary
This seminar will be about my experience as an international exchange student from the Geological Sciences Department at San Diego State University (SDSU) participating in the community hazard mitigation field camp at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Yogyakarta, Indonesia, in July2011 for 12 days (July 4th to July 16th) of its two month duration (July4th to August 25th). I will be going over the logistics of my travel, the activities that I participated in while I was there both leading up to and during of the field camp experience, my results, current research that is being conducted as a result of my involvement, and finally explain the protocol for future involvement for current undergraduates at SDSU.
Field Camp
The name of the field camp group I was attached is KKN-PPM and was focused in Plosorejo Village, Karanganyar, Kerjo, Central Java,Indonesia. The mission of KKN-PPM 154 was to survey Plosorejo Village for existing landslides, to generate a simple hazard susceptibility map that can be understood by local villagers, and to begin dissemination of that map into the community. To generate our susceptibility map we first conducted a geological survey of the existing landslides in the field study area, with a focus on determining landslide triggers and gauging areas for susceptibility of future landslides. The methods for gauging susceptibility included lithological observation, the presence of linear cracking, visible loss of structural integrity in structures such as homes, schools and mosques, as well as collaboration with local residents and the rescue and response team. There were three color distinctions used in representing susceptibility which were green, which designates an area with no evident danger of landslide potential; orange, where transportation routes are at risk of being disrupted by landslides; and red, where imminent landslide potential puts a home in direct danger. The landslide inventory and susceptibility data was compiled into digital mediums such as Corel Draw and Google Earth. Once a technical map was generated, we presented it to the village leadership for confirmation and modification based on their experience. Finally, we began to use the technical susceptibility map to draft evacuation routes and meeting points in the event of landslides, as well as a simple susceptibility map that can be understood and utilized by local villagers. Landslide mitigation projects that were conducted alongside the community hazard map include marking evacuation routes with painted bamboo signs and installing an early warning system that detects land movement and alerts residents that evacuation routes should be used.
Future (Current) Research
Although the in situ data collection is finished, we can continue to investigate landslide potential using remote sensing data from Glovis and other databases. We are exploring the use of remote sensing data to analyze visible and infrared imagery of my field area to determine landslide potential that was too large scale to be observed on the ground. This research is focused on using vegetation indices such as NDVI to distinguish between patches of trees to detect classic concave landslide patterns that indicate areas in which the land has been disrupted historically. We can analyze properties such as slope inclination and vegetation density remotely and relate it to the ancillary lithology data collected on the ground to predict where and how landslides might occur in the future.
Future Involvement
The opportunity is available for undergraduates from SDSU to participate in the KKN-PPM program at UGM in Indonesia as soon as summer 2012. I will explain the protocol that I followed in order to start a conversation with the correct people in UGM’s Geological Engineering department, how to get the program officially recognized by SDSU’s Center for International Studies and also how to get funding from SDSU to help with the travel expenses. Students will receive 3 SDSU unit credits for their involvement and the program is not limited to Geological Sciences students. KKN-PPM is an interdisciplinary field camp that includes students from the sciences and engineering as well as communications,politics, law, agriculture, forestry, and even literature to collaborate for the common goal of empowering villagers all over Indonesia. Students will gain valuable character building experience with interdisciplinary issues such as practical environmental sustainability, resource management and applied community hazard mitigation.
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